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Idealab startup incubator founder Bill Gross has opened up free access to a database of 1.2 million business ideas compiled using AI (er10.kz). Searches take users’ interests, skills and location into account. For entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, the ability to find ideas for a specific country, region or city could be useful.
What happened
Gross used 31 methods for generating ideas that he had applied throughout his career. His AI tool analysed news, global problems and scientific publications. According to the publication, it drew on data from 17 million sources.
The result is a search engine that is free to use. Users can search for projects that match their experience and interests, adding geographic criteria.
What this means for Kazakhstan
Geographic search narrows the results to ideas for a particular area. For Kazakhstan, this approach helps users make their searches more specific by entering a country, region or city alongside their skills.
Access to the database itself costs nothing. This lets users start searching without paying for a collection of ideas. The cost of launching the chosen business, however, is a separate question.
Professional experience is another useful filter. If you are looking for a business to start, you can combine a familiar field with your chosen location. The search will then take into account both where you plan to work and what you already know how to do.
Why Gross recommends considering launch timing
Gross studied hundreds of companies and identified five factors behind success: the idea, the team, the revenue model, funding and timing. He initially expected the quality of the idea to matter most, but later concluded that launch timing was decisive.
Entering the market too early makes it harder to find customers. Launch too late, and you face intense competition. So once you have chosen an idea, the next question is whether the market is ready for it.
