Overview
The best startups often start as extensions of existing products. Look for popular platforms with unmet user needs. By building these missing features, you can create immense value and potentially become a standalone product.
Company examples
- Hootsuite - Built social media management tools on top of various social platforms
- Zapier - Created automation tools connecting different web applications
- App stores: Shopify apps, Wordpress Plug-ins, etc.
Questions to consider
- What popular platforms have unmet user needs or feature requests?
- How can we create value by filling gaps in functionality for widely-used software or services?
How to cite
Faster Than Normal. “Build feature requests on top of existing platforms Framework.” fasterthannormal.co/business-frameworks/build-feature-requests-on-top-of-existing-platforms. Accessed 2026.