how do you feel when you suddenly discover that a big company has launched a similar new product?

Question

For me, my emotions go through three stages:

1. First, a bit of concern, since this means a certain level of competition.
2. Then, I feel happy, as the fact that others are doing something similar means the demand is more likely to be appreciated by users. 
3. Finally, I become calm, realizing that today's tasks still need to be finished.. haha.

As for action, I would try to reach out to people working on these big companies' projects to see if there are any collaboration opportunities or just to make new connections.

Feliciana · Accepted Answer

On one hand, it’s a bit daunting to face competition from a big company. On the other hand, it validates the importance of the idea we’re working on. It’s a great reminder to stay focused on what makes our product unique and continue improving.

Praveen chary · Answer

I feel great, because it validates your idea strongly

Oksana Chyketa · Answer

This has actually happened to us already! Canva and HubSpot both offer tools that directly overlap with what we do. It wasn't very comforting because they’re giants in the industry with massive user bases. But we’re focusing on what makes us unique—we provide advanced solutions, address gaps they don’t cover; deliver more value to our users. Competing with big players is challenging, but it’s also a great motivator!

Felix Sattler · Answer

When I discover that a big company has launched a similar product, it’s a mix of excitement and determination. It clearly validates the market need, but it also pushes me to double down on finding and highlighting a unique selling proposition (USP) that sets our product apart.

Competing with a large company can be a hard nut to crack, but focusing on what makes your solution special – no matter if it's personalization, agility, or niche expertise – can turn the competition into a great opportunity to stand out.

seoyoung oh · Answer

It depends on where I belong, but I don't think it's very threatening. Because the direction we pursue may be different,,

Lily Carter · Answer

Honestly, it stings a bit  but it’s also motivating. I look at what they’re doing and think about how I can do it better.

Daniel Blake · Answer

I get excited! It shows there's a real market. The key is to keep differentiating.

Rajesh · Answer

A little anxious at first, but then remind my self  that there’s always room for unique, innovative twists.

wenbei mao · Answer

This shows that the product we are working on is meaningful and valuable, and we need to work harder to leverage the flexibility of a small team.

Tony Tong · Answer

It really depends on your situation.

For an indie hacker or small team, it's a positive signal because the primary risk is usually a lack of market demand. If big companies are entering the space, it means that:
1. You're building something people actually want.
2. You're addressing a market large enough that even bigger players recognize its value.

However, for a VC-backed company, the biggest risk is often execution and competition, not market demand. If you've raised only a few million—an amount that may seem small given the expectations of rapid growth—it could be a red flag. It suggests you might not be scaling fast enough or that your differentiators aren't strong enough to stand out, especially as larger competitors start to emerge.

how do you feel when you suddenly discover that a big company has launched a similar new product?

Replies