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Startup Validation Checklist

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Startup Validation Checklist

Use this checklist to confirm you’ve validated a startup idea with evidence, not just a good feeling, before you start building.

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This checklist isn’t a formality. Each item addresses a gap that has led founders to build something nobody needed. Work through it before you write your first line of product code.

Problem

The problem is written as a problem statement, not a solution
You’ve found the problem discussed unprompted in public (forums, reviews, support threads)
You can name the specific moment the problem occurs for real people

Customer discovery

You’ve interviewed at least 10–15 people about their past behavior, not their opinion of your idea
You asked about the last time the problem happened to them, specifically
You kept interviewing until new conversations stopped revealing new patterns

Evidence

The same pain point shows up across multiple, independent people or sources
People already have a workaround, even an imperfect, paid, or manual one
You can point to a specific contradiction between what people say and what they actually do, and you’ve accounted for it

Demand

You’ve tested for a real commitment, such as a deposit, sign-up, or switching behavior, rather than stated interest
You know what people currently pay, in money or time, to deal with this problem today

Decision

You wrote down in advance what evidence would justify building and what would mean "narrow the problem and go back"
You’ve checked that evidence against what you actually found, honestly

Ready to move from guessing to evidence?

Use this checklist as you go, or let FirstSight run the research step for you.

Turn This Into a Validation Project

Related guides

How to Validate a Startup Idea Before Building
Validate a startup idea by finding where people already discuss the problem publicly, interviewing 10–15 of them about what they’ve tried and failed at, and only starting to build once you see the same pain point and workaround show up repeatedly.

FirstSight

Clearer signals. Better startup decisions.

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