Find proven add-ons on established platforms and build them for growing platforms
Instead of validating a completely new idea, identify successful add-ons or extensions on mature platforms (like Google Sheets) and build the equivalent for fast-growing platforms that lack them. The established platform validates demand; the growing platform provides distribution and less competition.
When to use
When you see a platform growing rapidly (especially one that just launched a marketplace or extension ecosystem) and you can identify a proven pattern from a more established platform that hasn't been built yet
Don't do this
Building completely novel features without proven demand, or copying add-ons to saturated platforms where the opportunity is already filled
3 Founders Who Did This
Saw API Connector for Google Sheets had 100K users and was successful. Airtable was growing fast and just launched marketplace. Built the API connection tool for Airtable.
Copied Airtable's proven forms add-on feature and built it specifically for the growing Notion platform
Identified that Google Sheets had mature API connector add-ons but Airtable, which was growing fast with a new marketplace, lacked one. Built the Airtable equivalent.