This question has been the subject of some controversy here at SUCCII HQ.   At Lighthouse, we strongly encourage business planning, market research and testing before spending money on executing an idea.  The majority of our clients are subject matter experts, not technologists.  So, execution often requires resources that must be engaged.  This, of course, costs money:   a very scarce resource in any start up.

Some of my technologist friends here at SUCC feel differently-that they should just 'build something, already' and if it works, it works.  They passionately argue that, 'if you build it, they will come' and if they don't, at least you've built something and learned in the process.

I suspect that as with most things in life, neither point of view is absolutely 'right' or 'wrong'.

Suffice it to say, 'just building it' is really the point of SUCC.  However, we are encouraging our participants this weekend to also think critically about the business model.  "How could this idea make money?"   "Could you convince an external investor (not your parents) to give you actual money to build this idea properly?"

In defense of our now very tired participants, I must say that this is a difficult question when also under time pressure to launch a live site.  Nevertheless, all of these questions and seemingly contradictory pressures are the reality of a tech start up-of, actually, any business.

So, the crucible moment comes soon for our six teams, now 'business owners'.   Tonight, they will formally launch their web businesses and present the full demo and business model to their peers.  Tomorrow, they will do it again to a panel of local tech investors and entrepreneurs.

So far this weekend, we have taken ideas from the hothouse, planted them in fertile soil and are now waiting for them to flourish.  Of course, we know that the majority will not survive this cold Canberra winter, but, perhaps, one or even two of these will see Spring.  

To be continued. . .