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Home/r/indiehackers/#8028
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Got rejected from another startup. Severance is almost gone. I’m burning the boats and building my own.

r/indiehackers
8/15/2025

Content Summary

The post is from a founder who was rejected from another construction tech startup and decided to start his own company called Doceo. He aims to help small to mid-sized general contractors by connecting their scattered data, reducing operational risk, and improving margins. He plans to talk to 200 GC decision-makers, shape the product based on their feedback, and build in public. The post highlights the importance of focusing on speed to revenue, validating problems before building solutions, and leveraging founder credibility.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion: Many commenters support the founder's decision to build in public and focus on speed to revenue. There is a strong emphasis on validating the problem before building a solution. Some commenters suggest that the founder should prioritize talking to customers and getting early revenue instead of overengineering the product. A few conflicting opinions arise regarding the balance between faith in God and aggressive execution. One commenter emphasizes the importance of execution speed, while others appreciate the founder's spiritual approach. Overall, the discussion reflects a mix of practical advice and encouragement for the founder's journey.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
Doceowww.trydoceo.comConstruction TechConsulting + software for general contractors to manage data, reduce risk, and improve margins
X (formerly Twitter)x.com/buildwithLDSocial MediaUsed for sharing the journey of building Doceo
NoFluffWisdom NewsletterNoFluffWisdom.com/SubscribeNewsletterOffers insights on execution speed and habit systems

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • Scattered data in construction companies
  • Operational risk
  • Inefficiency in general contracting
  • Difficulty in finding reliable solutions

Problems to Solve:

  • Help small to mid-sized general contractors connect their data
  • Predict and reduce operational risk
  • Improve profit margins by 2–5%
  • Save $100K+ for clients in 6 months

Potential Solutions:

  • Building a consulting and software solution (Doceo)
  • Engaging with 200 GC decision-makers to validate needs
  • Focusing on speed to revenue rather than perfecting the product

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Building in public to document the process and gain feedback
  • Focusing on speed to revenue by getting early customers
  • Leveraging founder credibility to build trust

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Reaching out to general contractors directly through DMs and referrals
  • Using social media (X) to share progress and attract attention

Monetization & Product:

  • Starting with a minimal viable product and iterating based on customer feedback
  • Targeting specific pain points of general contractors to build a clear value proposition
  • Emphasizing measurable outcomes like margin improvement and cost savings

User Engagement:

  • Engaging with potential users through direct outreach and interviews
  • Creating a community around the idea of building Doceo
  • Sharing the journey publicly to build transparency and trust