Business Idea Validation: What People Really Need
Every Business Idea is a solution to a problem. Regardless of the size, whether that problem is small or big, they have mission to address a specific need or challenge. However, the world is full of problems waiting to be solved, and identifying the right one is not always easy. With this in mind, we came up with four startup business ideas and conducted interviews to understand which problem resonates the most with people and holds the greatest potential for impact.
The Idea That Stood Out: PlastiCash
After analyzing the feedback, we found that one particular idea stood out the most—PlastiCash. This concept revolves around a system where people receive money or rewards in exchange for properly disposing of plastic bottles. While similar initiatives exist in other countries, they are not widely implemented in the Philippines. To better understand public perception, we asked interviewees about their plastic consumption habits, their willingness to recycle if given incentives, and the challenges that make recycling difficult for them and their communities.
Public Opinion
Most interviewees had a favorable opinion of the idea, particularly because of its reward-based approach. Many agreed that financial incentives could encourage people to recycle more actively. However, concerns were also raised, including the cost of implementation, financial sustainability, and inventory management. Some participants also pointed out that a major challenge lies in human behavior—many people tend to throw plastic waste away without segregation simply because it's more convenient. This insight suggests that while a reward-based system is appealing, additional efforts such as awareness campaigns and making the process more accessible may be necessary to encourage long-term participation.
Through this process, we learned that while many business ideas aim to address real problems, the most effective ones are those that resonate with people's behaviors and needs. The feedback we gathered provided valuable perspectives that will help refine the idea and make it more practical and impactful.