🧃 unicorn factories + 3 blockchain business ideas

Today's SIP letter has 4+ juicy startup ideas and the playbooks to build them from new episodes of The Startup Ideas Podcast.

2 new characters unlocked this week. (plus a special bonus video)

Let's break down what they brought us to sip on.

​Episode #1: Startup opportunities in bounty programs and secret events

​Dani Grant is the founder of Jam.Dev. She's been building in Silicon Valley for 10+ years, and she brought a list of 130+ startup ideas to choose from. (I'm not joking - here's her list)

From "unicorn factories" to reinventing social gatherings, Dani shared the goods.

Her perspective on talent and business models made for a fun discussion that definitely got my creative juices flowing.

Ready for the takeaways? Here are 2 ideas and 1 big insight Dani shared:

Idea: K-pop style factories for unicorn startup hires

Ever heard of a "unicorn hire"? It's that perfect employee who can skyrocket a startup's growth.

But finding these rare gems is a huge headache. Every founder I talk to is struggling to find amazing growth marketers, dev evangelists, and other specialized talent. Dani’s idea could change the game for startups everywhere.

Imagine a program that trains people to become exactly what startups need. Just like K-pop factories create pop stars, these "startup factories" would produce top-notch employees for hard-to-fill roles. Growth gurus, DevRel wizards, you name it.

You could create intensive boot camps that turn talented individuals into the unicorn hires every startup is dying for.

Here's how you start:

1. Make a list of roles startups are desperate to fill (PMs, marketers, engineers)
2. Create a crash course teaching real-world skills for these jobs (collaborate with experts)
3. Teach students how to market themselves - they need to stand out
4. Be picky about who you let in - quality over quantity, always
5. Partner with companies to create fit-check opportunities (charge a commission)

Finding the right talent can make or break a business. Startups need top talent, and traditional hiring methods aren't cutting it. This approach creates a pipeline of highly skilled, startup-ready unicorns.

Plus, it adds a new layer to the recruitment ecosystem. Good for companies and candidates.

Think of it as a Y Combinator for talent. Just as YC revolutionized startup incubation, this could change how we nurture startup-ready professionals.

Whoever makes this is accelerating startup growth across the board. If you're looking for a business idea with huge potential, this is one of them.

The demand is there - who's going to supply the talent?

Idea: “Sofar Sounds" for X (reinvent event experiences)

Picture this: You're in an art gallery after hours, surrounded by 50 other curious souls. The lights dim, a band you’ve never heard of starts playing, and your mind is blown.

That's the experience Sofar Sounds offers. Secret, live music performances in everyday places.

Now, imagine taking that same surprise-and-delight formula and applying it to... any social gathering.

You could host a tech talk in a rooftop garden, a comedy show in a hidden speakeasy, or a pop-up gourmet dinner in a dive bar.

The key? It's intimate, unexpected, and unforgettable.

With endless Netflix shows and TikTok scrolling, people are craving unique, real-world experiences.

This idea taps into that desire in a big way.

Here's how you could run with it:

• Pick your niche - Tech talks? Stand-up comedy? Variety shows?
• Build suspense - Create an air of exclusivity and surprise around events
• Curate like crazy - Partner with local businesses, artists, and influencers
• Leverage community - Use a membership model for regular event access
• Start small, but think big - Build a brand around "unforgettable experiences” (make every event share-worthy)

What I love about this idea is its flexibility. You could apply it to almost any industry or interest:

• Fitness: Secret pop-up yoga or boot camp sessions
• Food: Underground dinner clubs with guest chefs
• Sports: VIP practice sessions or Q&As with pro athletes
• Tech: Invite-only gadget unveilings or coding workshops
• Science: After-hours experiments in labs or observatories

In a sea of forgettable events, be the one that people can't stop talking about.

Who knows? You might just reinvent how we experience entertainment and social interactions.

Insight: Start building your audience before you launch

Dani nailed it when she said, “First-time founders over-focus on product, and second-time founders know to focus on distribution.”

She’s spot on. It's all about distribution. Having a great product is just one piece of the puzzle.

Getting it in front of the right people and making them care? That’s the real challenge.

Here's how you can make people care:

1. Start now: Launch a podcast, newsletter, or Twitter account today
2. Share your journey: People love behind-the-scenes startup stories
3. Be consistent: Create a posting schedule that works for you and stick to it
4. Engage authentically: Reply to comments, ask questions, be human

When you build an audience first, you’re getting real-time feedback, building trust, and creating a customer base.

Julian Shapiro's @growthtactics twitter account is a masterclass in building an audience. He started by sharing simple growth marketing tips. By the time he launched the service, he already had customers eager to buy.

Whether you’re building a product, service, or community, how you distribute and build trust is everything.

Take it from someone in the trenches - this approach works.

It's how I've built my own following, and it's how countless successful founders have laid the groundwork for their startups.

So, start creating content, building relationships, and growing your distribution machine.

If you start today, you’ll thank me later.

​Watch the full episode on YouTube to hear about Dani's journey from marketer to venture capital and her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Full episode links: YouTube​, Spotify, ​Apple Podcasts​

Or skip straight to the juicy parts:

​03:09 Startup Idea 1: K-pop style factories for unicorn startup hires
​13:02 Startup Idea 2: Bounty program for dev evangelism
​16:23 Startup Idea 3: Let millennials invest in VC funds
​19:37 Startup Idea 4: "So Far Sounds" for X
​24:59 Dani’s advice for startup founders

​Episode #2: Crypto startup ideas from the legend Ben Rubin

Want to know where the smart money in tech is heading next?

​Ben Rubin brought the world Meerkat and Houseparty (sold to Epic Games) and is now all-in on blockchain with Here Not There - and he's got some million-dollar ideas to share.

We break down:

• Why trust is the new currency in the digital age
• How blockchain could transform industries beyond finance
• Actionable ideas for building the next generation of online platforms

Here are 3 blockchain-powered business ideas from Ben:

1) Dating 2.0: Building trust on the blockchain

Trust is a hot mess in online dating. Fake profiles, catfishing, and enough ghosting to fill a haunted house.

But what if blockchain (a secure digital record-keeping system) could change that?

Imagine a world where your matches actually show up, and your convos lead somewhere.

This is the idea: A dating app that uses blockchain to verify user reputations and interactions.

You could build an on-chain reputation system that rewards good behavior. No more carefree ghosting.

The cool part? It's action-based and privacy-preserving. You’re not scoring people - you’re incentivizing real connections.

Want to build it?

Here’s the process Ben recommends:

• Pick a fast, cheap blockchain to build on (Ben suggests Ethereum L2 - think of it as blockchain's express lane)
• Make it easy for other dating apps to use your system
• Track what matters: who responds, who shows up, and who finds love

(Ben explains the process in more detail starting at 14:29 in the pod)

And don’t forget, privacy is key – we're not trying to create a Black Mirror episode here.

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. And people would pay good money for matches they can trust.

Plus, the potential goes beyond dating. Think of professional networking or finding a new roommate.

Trust me, building trust on the blockchain is going to be huge.

So why not start now?

2) Authenticity is the new luxury

In a world of knockoffs and fakes, authenticity is the ultimate flex. That's why I'm bullish on this blockchain-based verification system for luxury watches.

Picture this: every high-end watch has a digital record of ownership, condition, and service history.

It's like CarFax but for your wrist candy. And the best part? This tech could expand to all sorts of luxury goods.

Here's how you could start:

1. Create a tracking system: Use blockchain to track ownership and service history.
2. Build a slick-looking app: Make it easy for buyers and sellers to use the marketplace.
3. Showcase the verification process: Clearly explain how your system ensures authenticity.
4. Partner with brands and dealers: Integrate your system with sellers and retailers.

(Ben outlines his vision starting at 31:16 of the pod)

A marketplace that guarantees the authenticity of luxury items using blockchain technology taps into a high-margin, high-demand sector.

It doesn't stop at watches. It could be handbags, sneakers, art – any high-value market where authenticity matters.

Counterfeits are rampant, and consumers are willing to pay a premium for guaranteed genuine items.

Get this right, and you're not just selling products, you're selling peace of mind.

And let me tell you, that's priceless.

3) Tokenizing education with verified tutors

Alright, let's talk about disrupting education.

Trust isn't just for dating and luxury goods – it's crucial in education too.

Imagine a tutoring platform where you know your tutor is legit, and you're motivated to hit the books. Credentials are verified, progress gets tracked, and success is rewarded – all on-chain.

Here’s the idea: A platform where tutors have verified credentials, and students get tokenized rewards for their progress.

You could focus on high-stakes subjects like MCAT/ LSAT prep or coding interview practice. You know, the arenas where test results matter.

Here's the playbook:

1. Pick a niche subject to start – don't try to boil the ocean
2. Implement a rock-solid tutor verification system
3. Create a token economy that rewards student progress
4. Build community features around shared learning goals

(Ben and I discuss all the upsides starting at 45:57 in the pod)

In a world where AI is making traditional credentials less valuable, verified, on-chain proof of skills could be a game-changer.

For tutors, it's a way to build a verifiable reputation. For students, it's motivation to keep learning. Everyone wins.

Education is ripe for disruption, and this model adds both credibility and motivation.

That's a lesson worth learning.

Want to go deeper into blockchain businesses with Ben?

Full episode links: YouTube​, Spotify, ​Apple Podcasts​​

Or jump straight into the juicy parts:

​02:19 Crypto and Blockchain’s value proposition
​12:41 Startup Idea 1: Dating app with on-chain reputation
​27:16 Startup Idea 2: Luxury watch marketplace
​45:57 Startup Idea 3: Tutoring/coaching platform

I hope these episodes get your entrepreneurial fan spinning. Forward this email to a friend or share on social media to get others thinking.

And if you have a startup idea you want to workshop with me, join me for my YouTube livestreams.

I give feedback to anyone willing to share their idea on stage. Click ​here to subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss out.

Have a creative weekend,

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