Every legendary startup begins with a single idea. But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: ideas are easy—what matters is validation. In this first post of the Startup Manifesto, we’re diving deep into how to discover, refine, and validate a startup idea that’s actually worth building.
🧠 1. Start With a Problem, Not a Product
The most successful startups solve real problems.
Instead of thinking, “What app should I build?”, ask, “What frustrates me or others every day?” That shift in mindset is everything.
Here are some quick prompts to help you discover a meaningful problem:
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What inefficiencies do you notice in your daily life?
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What annoys you about how something works (or doesn’t)?
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What are your friends or classmates always complaining about?
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Where are people spending too much time or money?
Example: Slack didn’t start as “just another chat tool.” It was built to solve the communication chaos within a game development team.
🔍 2. Observe, Don’t Just Imagine
Real problems are observed, not invented. Watch people, talk to them, and listen more than you speak.
Here’s how:
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Talk to 10–15 potential users. Ask them what they currently use, what they hate, and what they wish existed.
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Join online communities like Reddit, Discord, or Facebook groups related to the problem space.
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Don’t pitch—just ask questions. You’re a detective, not a salesperson yet.
Tip: People will lie to be polite. They’ll say, “That sounds cool,” when they mean, “I’d never use this.” The best feedback is when someone says, “I’d pay for that right now.”
🧪 3. Validate Before You Build
Validation means proving there's real demand before you write a single line of code.
Here are 3 simple ways to test your idea:
a. Landing Page Test
Create a one-page website explaining your idea. Add a “Join Waitlist” or “Get Early Access” button. Share it in relevant groups or forums.
b. Problem Interview
Ask your target users questions like:
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“How are you solving [problem] right now?”
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“What do you hate about it?”
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“Would you pay for something better?”
If they don’t care about the problem, move on.
c. Offer the Solution Manually
Before automating or coding anything, try solving the problem manually. Can you deliver the solution by hand and still make it valuable?
Example: Airbnb founders initially rented out air mattresses in their apartment to test if strangers would pay to stay in a stranger’s home.
✅ 4. Score Your Idea
Use a simple 5-point rating system to evaluate:
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Problem Urgency: How painful is the problem?
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Target Audience Clarity: Do you know exactly who needs this?
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Market Size: Is this a niche or a massive opportunity?
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Existing Competition: Is the current solution weak, outdated, or overpriced?
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Your Passion/Skill: Do you care enough to stick with this for years?
If your total score is under 15/25, you might want to refine the idea further.
📌 Final Thought: Fall in Love With the Problem
Your first idea might not be the one. That’s okay. Most successful founders pivot several times before hitting gold. The key is to fall in love with the problem, not the solution. Stay curious, stay user-obsessed, and don’t be afraid to kill ideas that don’t hold up.
This is just the beginning—but it’s the most important part. Because a well-validated idea is the difference between building something that works and building something people want.
Next Up: Building Your Founding Team – Alone or Together?
In the next post, we’ll talk about how to build a team that actually complements your skills, and whether you really need co-founders in the early days.
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