Everybody has a great idea waiting to be born, but what sets apart a real business from a cash incinerator? This presentation will discuss the challenges of moving a "good idea" into a long term successful company instead a flash in the pan. Choosing the right technologies, the right architecture, and leveraging open-source software are important parts of the solution, but so are basic business principles, like understanding the market, validating the product, and convincing customers to part with their money!