I'm a developer with 10 years of experience, and I just left my job with a bit of savings to finally build something of my own.
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to create a business—but like most people who don't yet have one, the first thing I did was start searching online for ideas. These cookie-cutter suggestions do work. They're the lowest-friction ways to earn your first dollar. But they never inspired me. They never gave me the kind of excitement I needed to actually start.
It's boring. It's soulless. And yet... the worst part is—they're not wrong.
And you know what? Every website, blog post, and YouTube video gives the same recycled advice: "Do freelancing." "Start photography." "Become a consultant." "Learn this." "Do that." Every single "business idea" you find online is either a copy-paste of someone else's list or something spit out by a content farm.
Why I Never Launched Any of Them
Every mini project I've ever started has eventually lost its shine. No matter how excited I was on day one, I always hit the same wall: Motivation fades. Ideas get stale. It happened every single time—10 times out of 10.
So instead of trying to force myself to finish things I wasn't ready to commit to, I started doing something different: I began writing down every idea the moment it popped into my head—but specifically chose not to build it.
This did two things:
- It gave me personal clarity. If I really wanted it, the idea would haunt me.
- It created a filter. I could look back later and ask, "Was this just a spark, or something I'm truly willing to build?"
Over the past 4 years, I've collected over 100 business ideas I never launched.
Some are funny. Some are cringe. Some might actually be million-dollar concepts. But none of them matter without execution.
Ideas Are Easy. Execution Is Everything.
We all like to think we're one idea away from success. But the truth? Ideas are cheap. Execution is the cost of entry.
I've had countless people tell me, "That's a great idea!" But not one of those compliments turned into revenue.
Just like the 100+ ideas I've seen shared online—the ones that promise $10K/month passive income—they're meaningless without work behind them.
Why This List Exists
Because no one cares about our ideas—until we do.
This list is proof that they existed. That we tried. That we thought hard about problems worth solving. Maybe these ideas are useless without action. Maybe most of them will never matter. But they're real. They're not scraped, not borrowed, not optimized for clicks.
They’re raw, personal, and honest—shaped by four years of curiosity, frustration, and hope. Some are terrible. A few might be brilliant. All of them meant something when they were written.
🏆 My 100+ Startup Ideas List
Some are half-baked, others more fully formed, but all reflect real curiosity and a desire to build things that matter. Use them, remix them, or just browse for inspiration.
💻 SaaS Ideas for Developers
- JSON Viewer Chrome Extension - "best JSON formatter for developers"
- Quick Note Chrome Extension - "save text snippets while browsing"
- Instagram Growth Tool - "automate engagement with similar accounts"
- YouTube Transcript Translator Chrome extension
- Instagram photo saver Chrome extension (actually built it: InSave)
🛒 E-Commerce & Physical Products
- Luxury Hand Sanitizer - "premium hygiene products like Aesop"
- Tall Men's Clothing (190cm+) - "fashion for extremely tall men"
- 3D Printed Home Goods - "custom 3D printed decor"
🍽️ Food & Hospitality Startups
- Restaurant Recipe App - "cook dishes from top restaurants"
- Boat Rental in Lake Como - "premium tourist experience"
- Cinnamon Roll Pickup Service - "skip cafe lines for popular items"
📱 Content & Community Ideas
- Personal Photo Website - "Instagram alternative for one person"
- Podcast Translation Service - "translate My First Million to Russian"
- Milano Drinking Fountain Map - "find free water in Milan"
- Top5things - daily/weekly top 5 things dashboard
🎮 Games
- "Alive" game - pay $10 to join, login every day to stay alive, last person wins the pot
- $1 Million crypto lottery - users can join the game for $1. Once the goal is reached, the winner gets 50% of the pot. The rest goes to the platform.
Want the Full List of
100+ Startup
Ideas?
Get the free Excel sheet with detailed breakdowns—including market potential, tech stack suggestions, and monetization strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which startup idea is worth pursuing?
It’s the one you’re willing to build after the excitement fades. The one you’ll stick with when it’s just you, a screen, and the same repetitive tasks—day after day. If you can fight through the boredom for that idea, it’s probably the right one.
Do I need technical skills to launch a startup as a developer?
In 2025, you don’t need to be a developer to make a startup — you just need the grit to stick with a task until it’s done. Tools are easier than ever. Understanding comes from doing, not waiting until you “feel ready.”
How much money do I need to start a software business?
Honestly? Ten bucks or less—if you’re doing it solo. You’ll spend more later, maybe $100/month, once you start using tools that save you time and keep you moving faster. But at the start, it’s mostly sweat, not cash.
Conclusion
Looking back at this collection, I realize something important: no one cares about our ideas, unless we do something about them. Ideas sitting in notes apps and text files don't change anything. They don't build products, help users, or generate revenue. They're just digital ghosts of what could be.
Everyone has ideas. The market only rewards the finishers.
Alex Hormozi