The topic of sex may still be taboo to many New Jersey entrepreneurs. However, with the sex industry bringing in at least several billion dollars a year in the United States alone, many start-ups are looking to get in on the action. Budding entrepreneurs are focusing on creating apps that can track sexual performance and activity, offer matchmaking services and sell sex toys.
These ideas - especially the app that tracks sexual performance - may seem creepy to some. The app collects all the pertinent data related to a sex act, including start and stop times and speed. It even uses the phone's microphone. However, with the current trend toward self-improvement, many people want to be better at everything - even in the most personal aspects of their lives.
As with any new business, it's a good idea to fully research the market and look for a need that has not yet been met. Although many consumers may be open to the idea of sex-related services in an app form, there needs to be a huge demand in order for a start-up to be profitable. Although society and media has made sex more acceptable, especially to a younger audience, the older generation may still consider it a private act that is not to be discussed in public.
As sex apps become successful, there will likely be more competition. Rivals could be looking to steal trade secrets. Successful start-ups need to take the proper steps to protect their proprietary information. All patents and copyrights can be registered, but each business needs to enforce its own protection. This can be a daunting task but a very important one.
CNBC
Source: CNBC, Let's talk about sex: Tech start-ups tackle the taboo," Cadie Thompson, Feb. 22, 2014