The Startup Ideas Podcast
Perplexity vs ChatGPT "Deep Research" For Startup Ideas Shocked Me
19 Feb 2025
Get Greg’s Deep research research notes: https://www.gregisenberg.com/deep-research-ideasI compare in real-time ChatGPT's and Perplexity's deep research capabilities for developing startup ideas. Both platforms were prompted to generate AI agent business ideas with specific revenue targets ($1M Y1, $3M Y2, $5M Y3). The results showed that Perplexity provided faster, more concise responses, while ChatGPT offered more detailed, comprehensive analysis but took longer to generate responses.Key Points:• Comparison between ChatGPT Pro ($200/month) and Perplexity Deep Research (free/~$20/month) for startup ideation• Both platforms were tested with identical prompts for creating AI-based startup ideas• Comparison of response speed, depth, and quality between the two platforms• Practical demonstration of how to use AI tools for business planning and market researchTimestamps:00:00 - Intro01:33 - Defining the Startup Prompt02:29 - Initiating Research with ChatGPT05:05 - Initiating Research with Perplexity09:13 - Perplexity results (Legal Contract AI)15:44 - ChatGPT results (AI Sales Outreach Assistant)26:10 - Comparing Perplexity and ChatGPT Outputs27:55 - Follow-Up Prompts and Further Exploration31:55 - Perplexity's Follow-Up results34:43 - ChatGPT's Follow-Up results 37:07 - Where to get Greg’s Deep research research notes37:31 - Conclusion: Choosing Between Tools1) THE SETUP:• Testing ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo) vs Perplexity Deep Research ($20/mo)• Same prompt: Build a defensible AI agent startup• Target: $5M ARR in 3 years• MVP budget: $5K2) PERPLEXITY AI WINS ON SPEED • Completed research in ~2 mins• Analyzed 34+ sources• More concise, actionable insights• Free tier available!3) CHATGPT WINS ON DEPTH • Longer, more detailed analysis• Comprehensive playbooks• Better market context• More examples & case studies4) BEST STARTUP IDEAS GENERATED:Legal Contract AI (Perplexity):• $2.4B market opportunity• Auto-redline contracts• Defensible through learning• Clear path to $5.4M ARRAI Sales Assistant (ChatGPT):• Virtual SDR automation• Network effect moat• Product-led growth strategy• $100M+ potential5) MVP INSIGHTS:For $5K budget:• Use existing APIs (OpenAI/GPT-4)• Start with Chrome extension• Focus on single workflow• Manual fallback for quality• Self-serve freemium model6) KEY TAKEAWAYS:Both tools are INSANELY good• Perplexity = Fast, concise, free tier• ChatGPT = Deeper analysis, more context• Both provide actionable insights• Worth integrating into workflow7) PROTIP:For best results:• Be specific with constraints• Ask follow-up questions• Double-click on interesting areas• Cross-reference competitor insightsBottom line: These AI research tools are an unfair advantage for founders right now.Notable Quotes:"Distribution is the new moat" - Greg"This is an unfair advantage right now" - Greg regarding AI research toolsConclusion: Both platforms demonstrated valuable capabilities, with Perplexity offering speed and efficiency while ChatGPT provided more comprehensive analysis. The video suggests both tools can be effective for startup planning, with the choice depending on user preferences for depth versus speed.Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideasLCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.coFIND ME ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
Full Episode
Okay, today we're going to do something that I've been meaning to do for a while. So I want to test the differences between OpenAI ChatGPT's deep research and Perplexity's deep research. I mean, the simplest way to think about it is ChatGPT or Perplexity, when you prompt it, it's going to give you a quick answer. But deep research, it's almost like a junior analyst, a McKinsey analyst,
that they would probably pay hundreds of thousand dollars a year to give you deep research into the question that you have. And today we're going to use it to actually build a business. So we're going to prompt it. We're going to give the same prompt to ChatGPT. This is a $200 a month pro plan. And Propaxity's deep research, I think that's a $20 a month. And we're going to see which is better.
And we're going to go through the startup ideas to actually see, hey, maybe there's actually a great startup idea that one of you can steal. We're going to get ChatGPT and Perplexity to give us the tactics of actually how to build this business. This is what we're going to prompt it. We're going to give it the same prompt to ChatGPT as to Perplexity.
So we're going to say, I want to create a startup. I want it to be an agent, say an AI agent, that focuses on a high-value niche. I want it to be defensible, not just a flash in the pan. I want you to create a zero-to-one playbook of how you'd launch it to get customers too. Give me five ideas with five playbooks on how to grow it.
I'm looking for $1 million AR, $3 million year one, $3 million year two, $5 million year three. So we're going to see if ChatGPT Pro or Perplexity could give us a $5 million AR business in three years with the exact tactics, how to grow. And we're going to be real with it. We're going to see, is this actually going to give us good particular advice?
So if you're going to do this, you've got to click the deep research button here. So it says, that sounds like an exciting venture to tailor the best ideas and playbooks for you. Could you clarify industries of interest? Sure, so we're going to say... Are there any specific industries? No, we are looking for the startup ideas with the highest likelihood of success. Two, would you rather...
Target enterprises, SMB, or individuals, professionals? The truth is, I don't really care if it works, it works. So open to B2B or B2C. And then we're going to say AI capabilities. Do you have a preference for AI applications, automation, data analysis? Not really. Again, we're looking for the highest probability of success. with a moat. Okay. Technical resources.
Do you have a technical team or plan to build one? Or do you prefer a low code, no code approach? And we can say, I prefer an approach that's going to cost $5,000 or less for an MVP. I'm not super technical. What else can we say?
We can say, I might want to just cash flow this business, but I want to potentially raise VC money too if I really think this could go beyond $100 million a year business. Go to market. Would you lean towards direct sales, partnerships, or viral self-serve growth? I think I lean towards viral self-serve growth, but I'm open to what you suggest. Boom.
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