"Wouldn't this be cool" cost me 12 months and too much money.
"Wouldn't this be cool" cost me 12 months and too much money.
Aron Meystedt
May 01, 2026
Hello,
Aron here with ValidatorAI.com
Eight years ago, I spent real money on an idea that started with "wouldn't this be cool."
Digital collectibles for entertainers, on the blockchain. Fans could own exclusive digital assets from their favorite artists, which came with perks and rewards. I mocked up designs, talked with lawyers, pitched managers. Everyone said it sounded cool, but nobody fully committed. A year, and more money than I'd like to admit later, I shut it down.
The problem was the starting point. "Wouldn't this be cool" is one of the most dangerous places to begin a startup idea, and I see it constantly in our data.
When you start from imagination, the early work feels productive (mockups, decks, conversations). But none of it tests whether anyone actually has the problem you're solving. You end up spending your time trying to convince people a problem exists rather than solving one they're already frustrated by.
When you start from a known problem, the dynamic flips. Someone is already paying for an imperfect solution, which means they'll pay for a better one. The first step is obvious because the person with the problem is right in front of you. Our data below backs this up.
Founders working on operational problems move forward at twice the rate of those chasing aspirational ideas.
👉 The question worth asking before you go any further: is someone frustrated by this right now, or do I just think they should be?
If you can't name a specific person who has this problem today, and is currently paying something to deal with it, you might be starting from "wouldn't this be cool."
It’s fixable and the sooner you know it, the less it costs you.
Let’s Finally Move Your Idea Forward
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Free, no email required. → Validator AI 2026 Formation Report
Aron Meystedt
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