[CyberFonic]

The numbers you present do not make sense. 80,000 trials would mean 960,000 jurors selected, which would suggest at least 2M potential jurors. So how how does that mean $1B? In the early days, you would be lucky to get 1%-2% of the trials.

Realistically, you might need to create a MVP with lots of manual processing to test the market. Or, find a VC who will believe your projections.

[ratliffchrisb]

You're right, I left off a zero, 8 million people report for jury duty a year. Each potential juror is often researched by more than 4 attorneys. At $25 per juror researched you end up around a billion dollars. $25 per juror is what many attorneys pay for a criminal record check already, so this is a pricing model they are familiar with and I think if the product provides as much information as I believe it can the value could meet or exceed the value of a criminal check. A criminal record might be more indicative of a bad juror, but so few people have them compared to the number of people with other data sources I think the expected value of information evens out.

And this is just the States, there are other countries that use similar systems for jury selection.

I agree I won't make that until there is a mature product, but the question was addressable market, not expected year 1 revenue.

The mvp I'm working on now allows the sharing of information about jurors. This should allow me to gather data on how jurors vote tat can be marketed while still making profit off the sharing app alone.

[CyberFonic]

Your answers to this and other comments are very good. You give the impression that you have done a lot of research already. If you haven't already come across Steve Blank's work take a look at "The Four Steps to the Epiphany".

Since it is such a huge potential market, it might be a good idea to work on getting VC funding. The only caveat being, avoid "free" anything. Very hard to convert to paying down the track. You could give early users the option of investing and getting a chunk of discounted juror research for their money as well as equity. Since you are already in contact with lawyers you should be able to find some professional advice, etc.

[ratliffchrisb]

I would really like to talk to some VC's, unfortunately I'm based in the Midwest, it might as well be the majove as far as funding goes or so I understand. So I'm trying to get a sizable MVP and traction before spending time talking to people. No one will talk to you unless you already have the product launched with users here. Where I'm at the Ben and Jerry's model almost makes more sense because by the time you can get funding you almost don't need it anymore.

On the flip side, where I'm located the 120k from yc seed money would be a year's runway for me and a cofounder or two. That and there is more talent here than people think, or at least more good devs looking for work than hiring.

If anyone has some contacts or VCs want to get in contact with me take my username at Gmail to talk.

[GaryLivingston]

Hmm. Get some insight about the cities around you...

Request the Startup Ecosystem Report from here:

http://startup-ecosystem.compass.co/ser2015/

Great research. Interesting notes about Chicago in there.