[kaiku]

If it already exists as you say, would you mind sharing what that feature is?

I ran into this problem time and again with my own language acquisition startup. My cofounder and I did what research we could and gleefully discounted all the big names in language learning as true competitors. But as we talked to more people, ones who knew about some other new startup (or worse, a feature on an existing product), I'd run back to my computer with a sinking feeling in my gut.

In the end, financial reasons prevented us from continuing, but we did produce a product that we ourselves used. We were happy for meeting our personal goals. Furthermore, there might be academic/non-profit applications for your technology that might encourage you to continue work. If you can pivot and regain momentum, try it for a little bit.

In the end, if you're too disheartened to go on, you probably won't and you'll be miserable. So figure out a way to address the competition, alter your own path in response, or move on and feel good about the fact that you did four great, solid months of work, learned a ton, and that your time was well spent.