The problem with running your idea past your mates, is they’re not going to tell you it sucks. Only by the time you’re R50 000 down will you realise the glaring error you missed at the start.

And it’s not something you can tweak – it’s the whole concept. Ouch.

Timon, the new ‘gig economy’ app that lets anyone make money through text chat, has built up an impressive list of investors and business minds that you can chat to on-demand. Being able to run your idea past some of SA’s greatest business minds for a few hundred bucks could save you tens or even hundreds of thousands of rands.

Who knows, maybe they’ll like the idea enough to get involved.

Some of the names we’ve spotted already – all available to chat instantly, when it suits you.

Rob Stokes – Chairman of Red and Yellow, Former CEO and founder of Quirk, Chairman Silicon Cape.

Justin Stanford – Co-Founder and Managing Director of 4Di general investment management group, Co-Founder and Managing Director ESET SA internet security.

Daniel Guasco – Founding Director and Former CEO Groupon SA, Chairman and Director Silicon Cape

Emile McLennan – Raised the biggest investment round in SA TV history (Dragon’s Den), two business exits by age 21, private investor in blockchain projets, founder of eShip.co.za – the largest transport marketplace and delivery aggregation engine in the Southern hemisphere.

Andy Reid – Owner, Vespa South Africa

Seth Rotherham – Founder and CEO 2oceansvibe Media, the du Cap collection, Malawi Cane

Download the app (iOS and Android) here to check out the full list.

Timon has a clock at the top of the chat to show how long you’ve been chatting for, and the total price so far. Here’s a recent chat a user sent us, where he sought the opinion of a lawyer on Timon. You can even send a screenshot of contracts or photos – just like WhatsApp.

But these aren’t the only gurus on Timon. These cats share Timon ‘guru’ status with other professionals (insurance, legal, politics, wine), and even some local celebrities – including the likes of musician Ard Matthews, Radio DJ Ryan O’Connor, rugby’s John Smit and model Tracy McGregor.

Yip – imagine getting John’s thoughts on an upcoming rugby game. Maybe you have a mate who is a big fan of Tracy’s – you could ask her to send a pic holding a message for your friend.

So before you start dropping cash into your idea, run it past some of these guys and gals – it will probably save you thousands in the long run!

Check out Timon here.