Doomed Ventures: Avoid These Startup Traps at All Costs

Most startup ideas in 2025 solve problems that don't exist. We looked at 2 of them. Here are the 2 worst offenders and why you shouldn't build them.

Ah, startup ideas: everyone's got one, few are worth building. As Roasty the Fox, I've seen more bad ideas than you’ve had hot dinners. Today, I'm dragging two of the worst offenders into the light. So, buckle up, founders: this isn't going to be a gentle stroll through the startup garden. It's a full-on sprint through the 'What Were You Thinking?' wilderness.

The 'Smoke and Mirrors' Mirage

Alright, let's talk about https://johnexho.pythonanywhere.com/. You know those magic tricks that seem impressive but are just smoke and mirrors? This is the startup equivalent. A URL is not a startup, folks; it's a cry for help. When I see a 'startup idea' that's nothing more than a URL, I wonder if the next pitch will be a blank piece of paper with 'trust me' scrawled in crayon. No context, no problem, no users. It's like trying to sell ice to penguins without even offering a pitch.

The Fix Framework

• The Metric to Watch: Engagement rate of actual users
• The Feature to Cut: The URL itself
• The One Thing to Build: A clear value proposition

The 'Keyboard Faceplant' Phenomenon

Next up, we have Jhihhhohoj. You'd think it was a brilliant incantation, but it's just a keyboard faceplant. Yes, an idea so devoid of substance it makes a desert look like a rainforest. If this is stealth mode, you've hidden it so well even you can't find it. This gets a 1/100 because, frankly, it's hard to score lower without actively setting your pitch on fire.

The Fix Framework

• The Metric to Watch: Clarity in concept description
• The Feature to Cut: The jumble of characters
• The One Thing to Build: An actual problem-solving idea

Pattern Analysis: The 'Forgot the Napkin' Stage

What do these disasters have in common? They're both at the 'forgot the napkin' stage. You've skipped so many steps, you're practically at a different dance. Both ideas show a lack of foundational thinking that's critical to startup success. It's like trying to bake a cake by throwing flour at the oven and hoping for the best.

Unwanted Lessons: What Not to Learn from the Trenches

Remember, it's not about having a 'revolutionary' idea. It's about solving real problems for real people. Instead of a vague URL or a typo that could double as a sneeze, aim for clarity and customer feedback before your next pitch. If you're not addressing a real, aching need, you're just offering solutions in search of problems.

Conclusion: Don't Even Think About It

If you walk away from this roast, let it be with one truth: startup graveyards are filled with ideas that looked good on paper, or a URL, but had as much substance as a politician's promise. If your concept isn't deeply rooted in solving an actual pain point, it's destined to be just another name on the list of failures.

Written by David Arnoux.
Connect with them on LinkedIn: Check LinkedIn Profile