Join us for an engaging conversation with John Coogan, Entrepreneur in Residence at Founders Fund, as we explore a wide range of moonshot ideas from cybersecurity to moon colonization to humanoid military robots that could become a billion dollar tech company
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:44 Startup Idea 1: Cybersecurity for AI companies
11:24 Startup Idea 2: Moon-focused space startup
21:20 Startup Idea 3: Kid-friendly smartphone alternative
35:49 Startup Idea 4: Humanoid military robots
1) Cybersecurity for AI companies
• AI models = new high-value digital assets
• Estimated $500M to train GPT-4
• Potential for theft/espionage
• Opportunity: Build Fort Knox-level security for AI weights
• Think Chainalysis, but for AI
2) Moon-focused space startup
• SpaceX focused on Mars, opportunity on the Moon
• Easier access, always visible from Earth
• Ideas: Moon tourism, mining, asset placement
• Leverage SpaceX’s falling launch costs
• Be the "Varda" or "Planet Labs" of the Moon
3) Kid-friendly smartphone alternative
• Parents want device control, kids need connectivity
• Opportunity: Build ruggedized, fun, limited-feature phone
• No addictive apps, basic communication + learning tools
• Counter-position against Apple’s sleek designs
• Target millennial parents via Instagram ads
4) Humanoid military robots
• Combine trends: AI, robotics, defense tech
• Controversial but attention-grabbing
• Potential uses: Tele-operated missions, security
• Ethical concerns, but tech seems inevitable
• Opportunity to lead in emerging field
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
Work with me and my team: LCA — world’s best product design firm to build apps, websites and brands people love. https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire – a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co/
Stop Building Websites That Look Good But Don’t Sell: https://www.designscientist.com/design-store?b=https://www.designscientist.com/
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JOHN ON SOCIAL
John’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2L6WMqY3GUPCGBD0dX6p00?si=7TdH3TuJQWmsTt53e9s7Rg&nd=1&dlsi=ab2bcd252c4847cc
X/Twitter: https://x.com/johncoogan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacoogan/
