Product/Business Ideas
1) Personalized Shopping Assistant
A product that acts as your personal shopping assistant by using detailed user inputs (body measurements, style preferences, and budget) to provide tailored and simple but guaranteed to look good outfit recommendations utilizing trends like monochrome, vintage, old money etc. It simplifies shopping with a curated feed designed to match your lifestyle ensuring confident and hassle-free purchases without you having to put in much effort or thoughts. • Who Has the Problem: People unsure about what suits their body type or style, individuals with limited time to browse, shoppers looking for quality products at the best price. • Problem: Online shopping is overwhelming with too many distracting options; people struggle to find styles that suit their body and preferences; time and price uncertainty deter confident purchases. • Solution: Detailed Profile Setup (not asking them what they want but asking them what type of person they are), Personalized Feed, Price Optimization (Only suggests products when they are at the best price) • Motivation to pay: A simplified shopping experience for people who want to look presentable without investing much time or effort. Combination of convenience, confidence, and cost-effectiveness (marks when it’s the lowest price of the product based on its price history).
2) Learning App with Routine Integration
An educational app that fits into the user’s daily routine by offering tailored quizzes, videos, or activities based on their available time and learning goals. The app uses AI to tailor content dynamically. Capitalizing on the trend of micro-learning by providing personalized content that fits into short time slots, making learning more accessible. • Who has the problem - Students, professionals, and lifelong learners with busy schedules who need micro-learning opportunities. • Problem - Difficulty for people to maintain consistent study habits due to busy schedules. People want to make productive use of time spent on activities like walking, cooking, or even bathroom breaks.
3) Stress-Aware Exam Scoring
A biofeedback-enabled scoring system for exams like GMAT and GRE that tracks candidates' stress and anxiety levels during the test. The system provides a detailed score report including traditional scores and mental wellness metrics. • Who has the problem - Testing organizations (e.g., GMAC, ETS) and candidates preparing for high-stakes exams. • Problem - Many intelligent individuals underperform in high-stakes exams due to stress and anxiety, which traditional scoring systems fail to consider. This solution offers a more holistic evaluation of a candidate's performance. • Cornell Tech - Biofeedback tools for mental health tracking developed through Cornell research.
4) Energy Generation from Gym Machines
Gym equipment like treadmills, spin bikes, elliptical trainers, and StairMasters retrofitted with technology to convert kinetic energy from workouts into electricity. The energy generated can be used to power gym facilities or be stored for other uses. • Inspiration: Gyms are spaces where people burn significant energy—harnessing this energy can make gyms more sustainable • Who has the problem - Gyms, fitness centers, and eco-conscious individuals. • Problem: Significant energy expended in gyms goes to waste, missing an opportunity to create sustainable energy solutions. • Tapping Clean Energy - converts human kinetic energy into renewable power.
5) Waterproof Bottoms for Flood Protection
Bottom wear with integrated waterproof footwear that extends to the thighs or waist, designed for flood-prone areas with poor drainage systems. Made of recycled plastic, these reusable, affordable bottoms protect clothing and shoes from unclean and unhygienic water.Protects against exposure to harmful bacteria and pollutants in flooded streets while promoting the reuse of plastic. • Who has the problem - Residents in urban areas with poor drainage (e.g., India, New Orleans), commuters, and outdoor workers. • Problem: Many people in flood-prone areas walk through polluted water that not only ruins their clothes and boots but also exposes them to harmful bacteria. Reason - Disposable boots can be expensive and are often single-use, creating a need for a more cost-effective, reusable solution that safeguards both clothing and health. • Tapping Climate Change - repurposing plastic waste.
6) Ads for Anyone App
This app connects everyday individuals with companies that need micro-advertising services. Users can sign up, enter details about their lifestyle and environment, and choose from various simple advertising tasks, such as placing posters or flyers, wearing branded clothing, or even using branded products in their daily life. Users complete the tasks and get paid. It opens up new opportunities for businesses to reach specific neighborhoods and communities • Who has the problem - Everyday individuals seeking supplementary income and small businesses or startups needing low-cost advertising options. Or bigger companies if the following hypothesis is valid - Friends and family are more likely to notice and discuss these subtle advertisements, leading to higher returns for brands. • Problem - Traditional advertising methods are expensive and lack grassroots-level reach. Theres a growing trend of the gig economy and the need for alternative advertising methods. Companies are always looking for creative ways to reach local audiences, and everyday individuals are looking for easy ways to earn extra income.
7) Health-Focused Recipe App/AI
An AI-driven app that provides users with healthy recipes tailored to their specific needs. Users can input criteria like time, dietary requirements, and cooking skills, and the AI will generate recipes ranked based on how well they meet these needs. It can also suggest small alternatives, like swapping bread types, to turn a meal from unhealthy to wholesome without compromising taste. • Who has the problem - Students, busy professionals, fitness enthusiasts • Problem - Meal planning can be overwhelming, especially with specific nutritional goals. People struggle to align their dietary goals with their schedules, often defaulting to unhealthy meals due to lack of time or knowledge about alternatives. Users want quick, easy, and healthy options that fit their lifestyle. • Motivation to pay - The app saves time, eliminates the need to search for recipes, and simplifies healthy eating. It’s worth the investment for busy individuals.
8) Walking Desks with Energy Generation
A standing desk integrated with a foot paddle mechanism, allowing users to generate energy while working. Converts kinetic energy from paddling into electricity to power devices. Combines fitness with sustainability, reducing sedentary lifestyles while promoting clean energy production. • Inspiration: Increasing adoption of standing desks highlights the demand for healthier work setups. • Problem - Despite a growing awareness of the benefits of an active lifestyle, many office workers remain largely sedentary. Standing desks, while a step in the right direction, offer limited engagement and fail to capture the untapped potential of turning everyday movements into productive energy. • Who has the problem - Health-conscious professionals, remote workers, eco-friendly enthusiasts. • Tapping Clean Energy - kinetic energy conversion; Trends - health-focused office setups.
9) Fashion Brand for Fit People
A fashion brand catering to people with athletic body shapes (like V-shaped bodies).While gym wear brands cater to active lifestyles, regular clothing options are designed with average body types in mind, like belly fat and narrow shoulders. The average body size is changing, but the industry isn’t keeping up. • Who has the problem - Fitness enthusiasts and people with athletic builds (e.g., V-shaped bodies) who struggle to find clothing that fits well. • Problem - They care about finding clothes that fit well, enhance comfort, and flatter their body type, which is often neglected by mainstream fashion brands. • Motivation to pay - Customers are willing to pay a premium for clothes that fit well and make them look good, especially those who can't find good fits elsewhere. Once customers experience the level up from right fitting, it’s hard to switch back to mainstream brands.
10) Centralized Bill and Subscription Management App
An app that centralizes all monthly bills, subscriptions, and payments in one place. Users can track due dates, receive reminders, and make payments directly from the app, ensuring no payment is missed. • Who has the problem - People with multiple bills and subscriptions • Problem - Managing multiple payments can be chaotic, leading to missed payments and stress. A centralized app simplifies financial management. • Motivation to pay - Users value the convenience of simplified payments, on-time bill management, and the peace of mind it provides, justifying a small fee.
11) Smart Space Optimizer
An AI-powered tool that helps users organize and optimize their living or workspace by analyzing inputs from texts, images, or videos. It uses advanced AI learning systems to recommend efficient furniture placement, storage solutions, and design improvements. • Who has the problem - Homeowners, renters, office managers, and interior designers looking to maximize space usage. • Problem - Organizing living or workspace can be time-consuming and inefficient without expert guidance. This tool simplifies the process and ensures maximum space utilization tailored to user needs. • Motivation to pay - In US space management is a big issue and its more expensive. • Cornell tech - AI systems capable of learning tasks through observation and reinforcement learning developed by the Robot Learning Lab.
12) Wireless Plus Wired Buds
Earbuds that can be used both wirelessly and as wired earphones, providing flexibility and stable connections when needed. • Who has the problem - Gamers, audiophiles, professionals, and travelers who prioritize flexibility and stable audio connections. • Problem - Frustration with wireless earbuds running out of battery and gamers needing stable connections.
13) Universal Smart Charging Adapter
A single charging adapter with customizable voltage settings for multiple devices, including laptops, earbuds, mobile phones, and more. Automatically adjusts power output based on the connected device. • Who has the problem - Tech-savvy users, travelers, and students. • Problem: Carrying and managing multiple chargers for different devices is inconvenient and contributes to electronic waste. • Tapping Clean Energy - reduces power waste and electronic clutter; Trends - multi-functional, portable tech solutions.
14) Platform for Plastic-to-Art
An online marketplace connecting plastic waste suppliers with craftsmen and artists. Facilitates the repurposing of plastic waste into art and functional products. • Who has the problem - Artists, small businesses, and sustainability-focused consumers. • Problem: Plastic waste contributes significantly to environmental degradation, with limited initiatives for repurposing it effectively. • Entrepreneurial Perspective: Fosters a circular economy by repurposing waste into valuable, creative items. • Tapping Climate Change - promotes upcycling of waste materials; Trends - sustainability-driven artisan products.
15) Solar-Powered Gym Floors
Gym floors integrated with solar panels and kinetic tiles that generate electricity from natural sunlight and foot pressure during workouts. Energy is stored and used to power gym equipment, lighting, or air conditioning. • Who has the problem - High-end gyms, fitness centers, and sports arenas. • Problem: Significant energy expended in gyms goes to waste, missing an opportunity to create sustainable energy solutions. • Entrepreneurial Perspective - Combines renewable energy sources (solar and kinetic) with fitness infrastructure, reducing dependency on traditional energy sources. • Tapping Clean Energy - dual renewable energy generation.
16) Mid-Range Heavy-Duty Vehicles
Affordable, mid-range SUV/truck-like vehicles designed with a focus on style and functionality. These vehicles accommodate large families and are fuel-efficient, appealing to urban and rural users alike. • Who has the problem - Urban families, rideshare businesses, and adventure enthusiasts. • Problem - Modern consumers want spacious, capable vehicles that accommodate families or heavy loads, yet they also demand stylish designs similar to popular rugged brands (e.g., Jeep). However, the market lacks mid-range, fuel-efficient options that balance practicality, performance, and aesthetic appeal, forcing buyers to choose between function and fashion. • Tapping Climate Change - energy-efficient commuting options; Trends - rugged yet stylish vehicles.
17) Mini Dishwasher for Specialized Utensils
A compact dishwasher designed for utensils that regular dishwashers may struggle with, such as plastic containers, non-stick cookware, and delicate glassware. It has specialized settings to clean these items safely and effectively. • Who has the problem - Families, students, individuals • Problem - Regular dishwashers cannot accommodate certain items like non-stick pans or delicate glassware, leaving a gap for specialized cleaning solutions. • Motivation to pay - In the busy US lifestyle, dishwashers are a necessity, and people value solutions that save time and effort.
18) Platform for Brand-Influencer Connections
A platform that connects brands with influencers more efficiently, avoiding cluttered social media DMs. • Who has the problem - Brands and influencers who face difficulty in efficiently connecting with each other for collaboration opportunities. • Problem - They want an efficient way to connect and collaborate without the hassle of crowded social media channels, allowing for easier partnerships. Despite the competition, existing companies lack strong execution strategies, leaving significant room for improvement. With four years of experience in digital marketing, I can identify most of the blind spots in existing solutions. • Motivation to pay - Brands and influencers are willing to pay for a platform that makes it easier for them to connect, saving time and improving collaboration opportunities.
19) Wearable Tattoos
Flexible, reusable tattoos designed as wearable accessories. Unlike traditional or temporary stick-ons, these tattoos can be applied and removed easily, making them a non-permanent, health-conscious fashion statement. • Who has the problem - Young adults, fashion enthusiasts, and individuals hesitant about permanent tattoos due to health, social, or commitment concerns. • Problem - Traditional tattoos are permanent and can cause health risks, while temporary tattoos are single-use and lack durability.
20) Sectioned Bottle
A multi-compartment bottle that allows users to carry different liquids in one container. Each section is leak-proof, making it easy to switch between beverages without carrying multiple bottles. • Who has the problem - Students, gym-goers, travelers • Problem - Carrying multiple bottles is inconvenient and takes up space. A sectioned bottle simplifies this, offering an all-in-one solution. • Motivation to pay - The convenience of having multiple drinks in one bottle saves space and is an eco-friendly option, making it a valuable investment.
21) Courier Service for Returns
A service that picks up return orders from homes for big brands and e-commerce platforms in the US. • Who has the problem - Busy individuals, students, and professionals who frequently return online orders but find it inconvenient to visit return locations. • Problem - They want a convenient way to return products without having to make a trip to a physical return location, especially for small-value items, often leading to abandoned returns. This gap in convenience impacts customer satisfaction and loyalty. Especially coming from India, where returning items manually is almost unheard of, there’s a significant convenience gap for busy individuals in the US. • Motivation to pay - Brands and e-commerce platforms are willing to pay because offering convenient return services improves customer satisfaction and loyalty. While they already partner with courier services, a dedicated return pick-up service can enhance their value proposition by reducing customer effort, leading to fewer abandoned returns and higher retention.
22) Artistic Trunks/Boxers
A line of trunks/boxers with artistic, colorful designs that appeal to people who prefer vibrant, expressive styles. • Inspiration - Noticing the lack of variety in men’s innerwear compared to other clothing items. Especially creative, funky styles are a big part of American culture • Entrepreneurial spirit - Leveraging the trend of self-expression through fashion to create fun, stylish options in a usually plain category.
23) Disposable Bags for Trimming
Disposable, mess-free bags designed to catch hair during trimming, making clean-up quick and easy. • Who has the problem: People who trim their hair (e.g., facial hair, body hair) and want a cleaner, mess-free trimming experience. • Problem: People often find trimming messy and time-consuming to clean up. • Entrepreneurial Perspective: Provides a simple, disposable solution to improve the grooming experience.