How much time have you invested on your startup idea?

I've been carrying an idea for my startup for 4 years. Basically since I became a hairdresser and felt the demand for my product myself. Now I'm on the realization stage but wish I started 3 years ago.

Two years full time. However I wasn't a software developer when I started so I had to learn NodeJs, React, PHP and SQL etc. So I would say 1 year training, 1 year work.

From finding a co-founder to launching a sellable product took us three years. Spent 1 whole year full time. We found it practically impossible to launch something while we were working full time. And so few support for early stage founders. We are france so for any kind of support they ask us a full fledged business plan which annoys us since we barely know what our product is capable for. To those struggling, hang in there. We went through 5 pivots and 4 different ideas to get here. What a joyful ride. Only downside is financial difficulties. But we know there is some light at the end of the tunnel especially since our startup is looking for positive impact in society

This actually makes me feel better. I thought I was way behind but I'm technically right along with everyone else. I've been working on it for 5 months now. Only one product out of the suite is operational and in use. In addition to the question when do you get investors on board? More specifically an enterprise SAAS startup.

I can relate. Harder when you have to start lean.

We're building EmployPlan.com for almost a year now. At first we started as a work radar app, but quickly shifted towards upskilling and now, at the final form, EmployPlan is a Talent Management tool. Final, of course just for now, cause we all believe that the future will bring us more challanges and we're open for them! :)

4 years :O