Missed Opportunities - Compeet
Last week my colleague and friend Patrick Haney tipped me off to a new and exciting web application called TeamSnap.com. Usually I’m eager to evaluate a new web application that was recommended to me - but upon my visit to teamsnap.com, my heart sank.
The big idea, the one as a web developer you always have in the back of your mind that you’d love to do, but never seem to have the time or the means to do it - had been done by someone else. I knew I had blown my opportunity to build Compeet even though the domain has been waiting - patiently since May 06.
In late April 2006, back when I operated Gray Door Solutions with my former business partner Dan Pickett, we organized a retreat with then co-workers Joe Riopel and Bill Rowell. The result of that retreat were some great ideas for subscription-based web applications. The crown jewel of which would be online sports team management.
Due to lack of time and money (though I suppose it was really drive), compeet never came to fruition. Dan and I started thinking about it again recently when I suggested we apply for YCombinator funding for the April 2nd deadline. It gave us a great opportunity to revisit our original ideas and improve upon them. However, due to the fact both of us recently started new jobs (Dan at secondrotation.com and me at quibblo.com) - when we weren’t accepted for YCombinator funding the idea was shelved again indefinitely. But Patrick would always remind me about what I should really be doing…
Below is the project summary taken right from the YCombinator app filed on April 2nd 2006.
Sports Team Management Software Organize your sports team online:
- Collect dues and membership fees via the web
- Create a team website that publicizes your image
- Handle all scheduling tasks
- Maintain statistics to keep it competitive
- Easy team correspondence including sms messaging, email reminders, and location based mapping.
- Get the best deals on the latest equipment
- Bring your entire league online and track standings and statistics
Sparkplug has certainly done a great job on their beta release of teamsnap.com (although I don’t care too much for the name) . I was very impressed and wish them the best of luck. I’m going to follow them very closely in the future.
I’ve taken a valuable lesson from all this - and it’s a possibility someday compeet will rise from the dead. Next time an idea hits me with such passion - I plan on taking full advantage of it.
Incidentally, just this past Sunday was the first game of a spring softball league I had joined. It was a bit drizzly Sunday morning but I hadn’t received any communication so I left for Medford. Upon driving to an empty field I gave the team captain a call. The game was canceled. Supposedly an email was sent out 45 minutes prior that I never got. I couldn’t help but blame myself and my lack of perseverance for my predicament. Text message based game cancellations were very high on the compeet feature list. What did I do when I got home? I sent out an email that suggested the team try a new service called TeamSnap.com - to keep us all on the same page of course.
Popularity: 9% [?]
I hate to say I told you so, but I did. The worst thing is, TeamSnap is doing a pretty damn good job with the concept, and that probably means Compeet will never be.
left this nugget of wisdom May 21st, 2007 at 10:50 pm
I think the best thing anyone can do is save enough money (3+ months) and quit your job so you can execute on that great idea. It always comes down to risk and how much you’re willing to take…something I’m not very good at.
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 1:21 am
[…] those that don’t read somedirection very often, here’s an insightful post. I just want everyone to have the opportunity to read this great article. […]
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 1:26 am
The worst ideas are those that aren’t acted upon. It’s too bad we couldn’t put it together, man. TeamSnap has executed well, but I’m quickly learning how important time to market really is.
We’ll get another idea, but Bill is right - we have to sock away some cash to give us the ability to act when opportunity strikes.
Don’t let it get you down - there’s a world of opportunity out there, and you’re ambitious enough to seize a piece of it.
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 7:37 am
why do you assume it’s too late? even if you were 18 months behind these guys, its all about execution and marketing. do a good job, keep it simple, and get the tools in the hands of people who will advocate.
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 9:04 am
I agree w/ Wyatt on this… being first to market is important but is not “end game…marketing is key and w/ the way that the web is evolving .. p.s their is a new term that is floating around that can really spring a new service to market called “Big Seed Marketing”
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 11:50 am
It’s true and I believe someday it may be possible to return to that space - but a lot has happened since to the core team that originally spec’d it out.
It is always tantalizing to think about striking out and running your own show - I think it’s a matter of comfort @ this point.
left this nugget of wisdom May 22nd, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I’ll hook you with all the super y league soccer teams in nh. My brother in law is the gm and it has like 30 teams in it. If every good idea was left to run alone we would never have Google (yahoo), Dell (ibm), Juniper (cisco) get the idea…
left this nugget of wisdom June 7th, 2007 at 9:41 pm