First, I would leave Twitter out of the calculation, not because I don't think they solve a real need, but because I think it actually solves many for different types of people[0].
Beyond that, most companies are solving a real need:
- Can't find anything worth finding on the Internet? Google.
- Need a way to commoditize software for users? Microsoft.
- Need to use a car on occasion in a big city? Zipcar
- Have a spare room or need somewhere to crash? AirBnB
Yes, you can get lucky by throwing darts and seeing what sticks, but much better to have a known problem to solve (and known by more than the founders ;).
[0] Alternatively, they may just be lucky or a hype filled machine. Or, they might understand the market in an Apple-like way and are driving it. We may never know, because it could be the latter, but poor decision making at some point make it look like the former.
Beyond that, most companies are solving a real need:
- Can't find anything worth finding on the Internet? Google.
- Need a way to commoditize software for users? Microsoft.
- Need to use a car on occasion in a big city? Zipcar
- Have a spare room or need somewhere to crash? AirBnB
Yes, you can get lucky by throwing darts and seeing what sticks, but much better to have a known problem to solve (and known by more than the founders ;).
[0] Alternatively, they may just be lucky or a hype filled machine. Or, they might understand the market in an Apple-like way and are driving it. We may never know, because it could be the latter, but poor decision making at some point make it look like the former.