March To Startup
One Sentence Summary
MarchToStartup is an iterative exploration and execution project aimed at identifying and nurturing innovative startup ideas across various industries, with the goal of building a diverse entrepreneurial legacy that achieves multi-billion-dollar success and contributes to human progress.
Purpose
The primary motivation and objectives behind this project.
MarchToStartup is driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of innovation to transform lives and the world for the better. The primary motivations behind this project are to achieve financial independence, contribute to human progress by solving critical needs, and engage deeply in work that is both fulfilling and impactful. Drawing inspiration from visionary figures like Tony Stark and grounded in my personal journey as an immigrant/minority, this project seeks to navigate the cutting edge of technology and societal needs, aiming to discover and develop solutions that significantly improve the human condition.
The project is set upon a foundation of ambitious, sequential goals:
- Achieving $5k/month in passive income within 1-2 years as a means to sustain the mission,
- Securing a $10M startup exit within 3-4 years,
- Having a $100M exit in 8 years, and
- Building a $1B startup within 13 years and eventually nurturing a portfolio of multi-billion dollar companies.
I started this project in 2024.
Principles
Guiding principles or constraints of this project.
- Merit and Drive: While recognizing the value of diverse perspectives, I believe in assembling a team based on merit, drive, discipline, and passion. My approach to building a team is centered on identifying individuals who demonstrate a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to contribute uniquely and effectively to our goals. I understand that these qualities transcend race, ethnicity, and background, and I consider each candidate on a case-by-case basis, aiming to blend the best of diverse perspectives with uncompromising standards of performance.
- Agility and Adaptability: In the face of uncertainty and rapidly changing markets, agility and adaptability are my core operational principles. I remain open to pivoting strategies, embracing new technologies, and reevaluating goals as needed to stay aligned with my mission and the evolving landscape of opportunities.
- Impact Over Profit: While financial sustainability is crucial, I prioritize impact over profit, measuring success not just by financial milestones but by the positive change I bring to society and the environment. My ultimate aim is to leave a lasting, beneficial legacy.
- Continuous Learning and Improvement: I embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement, seeking feedback, and iterating on my ideas and processes. Recognizing that failure is a part of the entrepreneurial journey, I view setbacks as opportunities to learn, grow, and refine my approach.
- Resourcefulness and Efficiency: In pursuing my goals, I practice resourcefulness and efficiency, making the most of limited resources without compromising my values or the quality of my work. This includes thoughtful allocation of financial resources, as well as sustainable and ethical use of materials and technologies.
- Transparency and Integrity: I conduct my ventures with transparency, integrity, and accountability, building trust with stakeholders, partners, and communities. Honest communication and ethical business practices are non-negotiable, serving as the foundation of my reputation and long-term success.
- Moral Innovation: I commit to pursuing innovation responsibly, ensuring that my ventures not only push the boundaries of what is possible but also adhere to my moral standards. This involves thorough consideration of the societal, environmental, and ethical implications of my projects, with a steadfast refusal to compromise on these values for the sake of expediency or profit.
Outcome Visioning
Desired outcome of the project. Wild success.
Wild success for this project means having the unrestricted capability to act on visionary ideas ($100+ billion net worth), pushing the boundaries of what is possible in technology, entrepreneurship, and societal advancement.
Vibrant community united by shared values of hard work, discipline, and innovation.
Success is measured not just in financial terms but in the legacy of empowerment, progress, and the collective progress of humanity towards a brighter, more inclusive future.
Timeline & Milestones
Up-to-date timeline of project.
Building Base
- Set up project and task management system (start: 2023-12-20, end: 2024-01-02)
- Finalize decision to leave my PhD (start: 2024-01-03, end: 2024-01-06)
- Enhance my computer productivity (start: 2024-01, end: current)
- Plan out finances for stability and sustainability (start/end: 2024-04-04)
- Improve my health with March To Optimal Health. (start: 2024-02, end: current)
Community Building
- Design majority of my website (start: 2024-03-07, end: 2024-03-19)
- Make youtube community post about my website (start: -, end: -)
- Make youtube video about my website (start: -, end: -)
Learning and Building
- Version Control (git) (start: -, end: -)
- Prototyping and Design for Software (figma, UX/UI design, lean methodology) (start: -, end: -)
- iOS App Development (start: -, end: -)
- Marketing & Sales (start: -, end: -)
- Ideation & Starting up (start: -, end: -)
- Android App Development (start: -, end: -)
- Full-Stack Web Development (start: -, end: -)
- Create Company (start: -, end: -)
- Researched business structures and registered my company. (2024-2-7)
- Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, and Web3 (algorand) (start: -, end: -)
Supplemental Learning
- Starting Up Resources
- Skim all resources in "all phases" and "ideation and conceptualization" sections. Decide what to digest in what order. (Status: Not Started)
- Founders and Start Up History
- Jeff Bezos (start: -, end: -)
- Steve Jobs (start: -, end: -)
- Bryan Johnson (start: -, end: -)
- Jensen Huang (start: -, end: -)
- James Donaldson (start: -, end: -)
- Napoleon Bonaparte (start: -, end: -)
- Winston Churchill (start: -, end: -)
- Elon Musk (start: -, end: -)
Resources
Updates and Learnings
Edits to timeline and learnings from setbacks.
Learning #1: Just start, unless there is an important reason not to. Speed of action and learnings obtained feed into each other. Initially, I thought I had to do things in a certain sequence, and to some extent I am correct, but I can only know what I needed to know in retrospect. Since what I am doing is low stakes, speed of action is more important than getting the sequence right.
Learning #2: Perfect sequence: mental health, financial base, health base, personal project management + computer organization, learning, and then starting up. Some people need motivation to take action every day, so that is why mental health is first. Motivation was not an issue for me, but I include it to be general. I did step 4 next since I am a PhD student and managing all my projects going on in my life was becoming chaotic. I skipped step 2 and have been half-assing step 3 for about a month and a half; I should have solidified those and then focused on learning to start up. It's likely you are not going to be an overnight success. It will take time. You need to make yourself financial stable and healthy enough to see that success and enjoy it. Once the actions become habits, proceed. Finally, I created a company (LLC) before even learning. I don't even have anything to sell, so why create a company so early on?! Now I need to learn about tax and legal matters to remain compliant.
Update #1 (2024-5-2): Previously, I wanted to learn the process of taking an idea, validating it, creating a mock up, then learning to make websites (or web development), then learning to make iOS apps, then learning to make Android apps, then learning to market and sell, and then building and selling. That was excruciating to type out. Now the process is simpler: learn the idea to mock up process, learn to make apps, learn to market and sell, and then build and sell -- aka ship sht. Once I start making some money I can dive into other areas, such as web development. I want to be FOCUSED.