Import Export Business Framework

A framework for generating business ideas by either creating tools you wish existed (import) or selling internal tools to others (export).

Core Framework Definition

• Import: Build something you wish existed while working at a company

  • If your company would pay for it, others likely would too
  • Identifies real market needs from firsthand experience

• Export: Take internal tools/systems and sell them externally

  • Example: Slack started as an internal tool before becoming a product
  • Validates product-market fit since it solved a real problem internally first

Key Examples

• YC's Investor Directory
  • Internal tool tracking investor reviews and information
  • Paul Graham noted it's one of YC's most valuable internal products
  • Could be "exported" as Yelp-like platform for investor reviews
  • Would require verified interactions for credibility
  • Could overcome chicken/egg problem through focused startup community

Implementation Strategy for Export Model

• Start by identifying valuable internal tools
• Validate if other companies have similar needs
• Consider how to scale/generalize the solution
• Focus on tools that solved clear business problems
• Look for opportunities where companies currently lack good solutions

Benefits of This Framework

• Built-in product validation
• Clear understanding of user needs
• Real usage data before going to market
• Proven value proposition
• Natural initial customer base

The framework emphasizes building things that are already proven valuable in real business contexts rather than theoretical solutions looking for problems.