Ranking Startup Ideas

A method for evaluating startup ideas by ranking them based on personal excitement and feasibility, demonstrated through the Boom Supersonic founder's approach.

Core Concept

• Write a list of startup ideas ranked by "most awesome if I did it"
• Plan to cross out top ideas as unrealistic
• Typically choose idea #5 or lower as most practical
• Focus on personally motivating ideas that stack the deck in your favor

Key Principles for Idea Selection

• Must be personally worthwhile

  • Should be clearly better than working at big tech (Google, Facebook, Amazon)
  • Need to feel "I must make this happen" vs just starting a startup
  • Avoid starting companies "just because"

• Bigger ideas can be easier

  • Large visions motivate you more effectively
  • Attract better talent to work with you
  • Creates natural momentum through excitement

Evaluation Criteria

• Personal Motivation

  • Must deeply excite you and your team
  • Should align with personal interests/passions
  • Need to feel compelling beyond financial returns

• Team Appeal

  • Ideas should naturally attract strong talent
  • Vision needs to excite potential employees
  • Should create organic enthusiasm in others

• Feasibility Balance

  • Start with unrealistic "dream" ideas
  • Work down to more practical opportunities
  • Find sweet spot between exciting and achievable

The framework emphasizes choosing ideas that provide strong personal motivation while maintaining enough practicality to be achievable, rather than just picking the safest or most obvious opportunity.