Knowledge Marketplace
My First Million

My First Million

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

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Build deep technical credibility from scratch in a complex field

Non-technical founders entering highly technical industries

1-2 years of intensive study

What Success Looks Like

Ability to have detailed technical conversations with experts, catch BS from supposed experts, and make informed technical decisions

Steps to Execute

1

Identify foundational knowledge gaps (math, physics, core concepts)

2

Take remedial courses in prerequisites you lack

3

Work through multiple textbooks with problem sets

4

When stuck, try different textbooks rather than giving up

5

Test understanding by teaching others or explaining concepts

6

Build practical projects to apply theoretical knowledge

Checklist

Can explain core concepts in simple terms
Can work through quantitative problems
Can spot when 'experts' are giving soundbites vs real understanding
Can engage in technical discussions with industry veterans
Can make technical tradeoff decisions independently

Inputs Needed

  • 1+ years of focused study time
  • Multiple textbooks and learning resources
  • Access to practice problems and exercises
  • Willingness to feel stupid repeatedly

Outputs

  • Technical fluency in target domain
  • Ability to interview and evaluate technical talent
  • Credibility with technical customers and investors
  • Foundation for making informed product decisions

Example

“Blake spent a year teaching himself calculus, physics, and aerodynamics to gain credibility needed to build supersonic jets, despite having only a computer science background.”