My First Million

The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.

Maritime Procurement Marketplace

For: Ship operators needing emergency repairs and parts in remote ports

Buildability

The Problem

When ships break down in remote ports, operators have no efficient way to source parts and repairs. Current process involves manual phone calls, unclear pricing, and long delays.

The Solution

Amazon-style marketplace specifically for maritime parts and services, with local delivery networks in major ports worldwide.

Why Now?

Maritime industry is $100B+ but extremely behind in technology adoption. Labor costs increasing, making efficiency crucial.

Build MVP in 7 Days

Day 1

Landing page for ship operators to request quotes

Day 2

Manual process to contact 10 suppliers in major ports

Day 3

Simple quote comparison and ordering system

Day 4

Test with 2-3 friendly ship operators

How to Validate

Interview 20 ship operators about current pain points

Test manual procurement service for 5 emergency situations

Survey suppliers about willingness to join digital platform

Calculate unit economics for typical transactions

Revenue Model

Marketplace fees (10-15%) plus premium for urgent delivery and installation services.

Competitive Moat

Network effects from suppliers and buyers, logistics infrastructure, industry relationships.

Risks to Consider

Strong existing supplier relationshipsComplex regulatory requirementsCultural resistance to digital adoptionHigh customer acquisition costs