Having a job is no guarantee of security during a downturn. With a startup, you have more control over whether you succeed or fail. If you have one year of savings, you should be fine either way. But if there is a downturn and it lasts more than a year, you're SOL. If you take that year to develop something valuable, you can deal with the macro economy on your own terms. Given your situation, I don't think the economy should be a big factor in your decision. Even if you make a product for an ailing sector like real estate, if you can help them either save money or make more money, you'll do fine.