Founders · Validation
How to validate a startup idea before you fund the build
Validation is evidence that someone will pay or repeatedly use the product, not friends saying it sounds cool.
Write the riskiest assumption first
Examples: tenants will upload listings daily, clinics will pay per seat, suppliers will accept delayed payout. Pick one assumption that kills the business if wrong.
Every test should target that assumption only.
Methods that produce signal
- Problem interviews with people who spent money on the pain
- Concierge MVP: deliver the outcome manually before software
- Paid pilot with one customer and a narrow scope letter
- Landing page with clear offer and measurement, not vanity likes
- Pre-sales or letters of intent from a credible buyer
South African context
Payment behaviour, mobile usage, and procurement cycles differ by industry. A test in Johannesburg may not predict Eastern Cape logistics.
If you need Paystack or EFT (electronic funds transfer) behaviour in the test, include it early.
When to green-light build
Green-light when you can name who pays, how much, and what v1 must do in one sentence.
Then scope MVP with a senior engineer so you do not pay to learn what a spreadsheet could have proved.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to turn validation into a build plan?
Share what you proved and what is still a guess. We help tighten v1 before you commit ZAR.