02 Founder Path · Validate before you build
Validate Your Business Idea
Build the evidence you need to decide whether an idea deserves your time and money, before you spend much of either.
You won't just learn about validation. You'll finish with a written decision, proceed, pivot, or stop, backed by evidence from real customers.
- Lessons
- 5
- Time
- 3.3 hrs
- You'll finish with
- Validation Decision Memo
- A one-page memo that records what you learned and what you decided, so the decision is based on evidence rather than enthusiasm.
- Examples for
- Local serviceE-commerceConsulting & agencySaaSVenture-backed
0 of 5 complete
- 01 45 min
Talk to the people who have the problem
Before you test a solution, confirm the problem is real, frequent, and painful enough that someone is already trying to solve it. Ask about past behavior, not opinions about your idea.
Your task
Complete ten problem interviews and record the three most common ways people handle the problem today.
Example · Local service · Hypothetical
A mobile bike-repair idea: interview commuters at two transit stations about the last time their bike broke down and what it cost them.
Read for this lesson
- 02 30 min
Map the alternatives people use today
Your real competition is whatever customers do now, including spreadsheets, a relative who helps, or doing nothing. Understanding those alternatives tells you what you have to beat.
Your task
List the five alternatives customers mentioned most, what each costs them in money and time, and where each falls short.
Example · Local service · Hypothetical
Alternatives for bike repair: the shop across town, a friend who is handy, a YouTube tutorial, or leaving the bike unused.
Read for this lesson
- 03 30 min
Write down what has to be true
Every idea rests on assumptions about customers, price, and reach. Writing them as testable statements, with a threshold that counts as a pass, keeps you honest about the results.
Your task
Write your three riskiest assumptions as statements with a pass or fail threshold you set in advance.
Example · Local service · Hypothetical
"At least 6 of 20 commuters we approach will book a $45 tune-up for next week."
Read for this lesson
- 04 60 min
Ask for a real commitment
Compliments are free. A commitment, such as a pre-order, deposit, booked call, or signed letter of intent, costs the customer something and is far stronger evidence.
Your task
Run one commitment test, such as a landing page, a pre-sale, or a paid pilot offer, and record how many people said yes.
Example · Local service · Hypothetical
A one-page site with a booking form and a refundable $10 deposit, promoted with flyers at the two stations.
Read for this lesson
- 05 30 min
Decide: proceed, pivot, or stop
Validation ends with a decision, not more research. Compare what happened with the thresholds you set, and choose deliberately.
Your task
Score each assumption against its threshold and write your Validation Decision Memo.
Example · Local service · Hypothetical
Bookings beat the threshold but most came from one station: proceed, starting with that location only.
Read for this lesson
Progress is saved in this browser only. No account needed.
The deliverable
Validation Decision Memo
A one-page memo that records what you learned and what you decided, so the decision is based on evidence rather than enthusiasm.
- 01The problem, and exactly who has it
- 02Evidence collected, with dates and sources
- 03Assumptions tested, and whether each passed
- 04What customers said they would pay, and what they actually committed
- 05The decision, and your next three actions