A pre-seed marketplace founder approached me with an idea they were excited about and believed could be successful.
Initial Assessment: The idea had potential, but the founders underestimated the cost of building an MVP and had limited market research. They also proposed using a WordPress theme as their full solution. From the start, it was clear that moving forward without validating demand and market fit carried a high risk of wasted time and money.
Research & Analysis: I recommended two key validation steps: building a waiting list to test user interest and conducting a competitor and market analysis to assess the opportunity. I evaluated the feasibility of using their WordPress theme while ensuring it wouldn’t limit testing, and advised on phased development to reduce upfront risk.
Evolved Thinking: Despite initial resistance from the founders, the approach focused on validating real demand and testing assumptions before committing to full development. This ensured that, if they had continued, every step would have been guided by data rather than assumptions.
Outcome: The founders ultimately chose not to continue the project, but the advice provided a clear roadmap to reduce risk, validate demand, and make informed technical decisions. Proper early-stage guidance could have saved months and significant cost while laying the foundation for a successful MVP.
If you’d like to explore how I can help your startup validate ideas and make smart technical decisions without wasting time or money, feel free to book a consultation.