Most people have never been around something that catches fire and grows quickly. So they speculate about what it takes.
But when you make lots of things or invest in lots of companies you occasionally see things blow up. It comes so easily. It just works. It is a discovery of a natural force at work.
A group of veteran startup people know this and they look for it, they are ever more discerning about what pops are impressive, and they clone and build on these ideas.
We developed a small project at Knotable recently that popped impressively and it’s addictive. What else should we clone?
Airbnb for work?
Über for the office?
Blue Apron for lunch?