#163 - Plugins, Gumroad's Crazy Valuation and a Viral APp
About This Episode
Sam Parr and Shaan Puri discuss the untapped business potential of Chrome extensions, using examples like Toucan and Grammarly to illustrate their low churn and high engagement. The duo also critiques Gumroad's recent $100 million crowdfunding valuation and explores the 'StudyStream' trend in Gen Z digital communities. Shaan shares personal updates, including the birth of his son and his recent appearance on CNBC.
Episode Description
Key Takeaways
Focus on building Chrome extensions for behaviors with high friction, like learning a language or meditation, as they integrate into existing user habits better than standalone apps.
Look for 'underground' platform opportunities where the user-to-app ratio is low, such as Chrome (3 billion users but only 200,000 plugins), HubSpot, or Salesforce.
Be cautious of crowdfunding campaigns for startups that have already 'struck out' with professional VCs, as these deals may offer retail investors less favorable terms and higher risk.
Business Ideas Mentioned
Meditation and Mindfulness Chrome Extension
SaaS
Universal People Context Chrome Extension
SaaS
Crypto Scratch-Off New Tab Page
Content & Media
Advanced Site Blocking Productivity Tool
SaaS