Most funded startups fail because they build before they validate.
You have funding, a market thesis, and momentum. The instinct is to start building immediately. That instinct costs most founders 3–6 months and $30K–$80K in code that nobody uses.
Why Validation Fails
Three patterns that waste your first $50K
We see these in nearly every first-time founder engagement. Every one of them is avoidable.
Building before talking to users
You have a hypothesis. Instead of testing it with 20 real conversations, you skip straight to wireframes and development. 4 months later, you launch to silence.
$30K–$80K in code + 4–6 months of runway burned.
Confusing interest with demand
"Everyone I tell loves the idea." Friends and family aren't customers. LinkedIn comments aren't purchase intent. Until someone gives you their email, credit card, or time — you haven't validated anything.
False confidence → premature build → wrong product.
Over-specifying the MVP
You write a 40-page PRD with 15 features. Your freelancer or agency quotes $60K and 6 months. You've designed a product for 10,000 users — but you need to survive the first 50.
3x the budget, 3x the timeline, 3x the risk.
Before Writing Code
What we help you clarify first
Every engagement starts with decisions that protect your funding. We don't write code until these are resolved.
Target User Definition
Who is the first user? Not "small businesses" — but "operations managers at 20–100 person logistics companies who currently use Excel to track shipments." This precision shapes every technical decision.
Core Workflow Mapping
What is the one workflow that proves your product works? We identify this, strip away everything else, and build only what's needed to deliver this single experience end-to-end.
Architecture Feasibility
Can your idea be built with proven technology? Does it require custom AI/ML? Third-party integrations? Payment processing? We map these dependencies before they become surprises.
MVP Scope & Budget
We define the smallest production-ready version of your product — including realistic timeline, budget range, and what you're intentionally leaving out of v1.
Decide Before You Build
Every week of clarity saves $5K–$10K in development.
Your First Session
What you walk away with — before any commitment
A 30-minute feasibility session. No sales pitch, no commitment. You get concrete answers.
Feasibility Assessment
Can your idea be built with proven technology within your budget? We tell you honestly — even if the answer is "not yet."
Architecture Direction
High-level technical approach: what tech stack, what hosting, what integrations. Enough clarity to vet any partner or hire.
Scope Recommendation
What to build for v1, what to cut, and why. Based on our experience with 30+ startup MVPs.
Realistic Timeline & Budget
Not a sales quote — an honest range. "This will take 4–6 weeks and cost $15K–$25K. Here's why."
If You Start Monday
Your first week with us — before any commitment
This is a feasibility engagement, not a sales funnel. You get concrete deliverables and a clear decision point by Friday.
30-Minute Feasibility Call
MondayWe listen. You describe the problem, target users, and what you've validated so far. We ask hard questions — "Who's paying for this?" "What happens if this feature doesn't exist?" — and take notes.
Architecture Direction Memo
TuesdayA 1-page document: recommended tech stack, estimated complexity, potential risks, and whether we believe this idea can be built within your runway. No fluff — just a technical assessment.
Scope Recommendation & Budget Range
Wed–ThuWhat to build for v1 (and what to cut). Realistic timeline. Honest budget range with reasoning — "This is $18K–$28K because X, Y, Z." Not a sales quote.
Decision Point
FridayYou have everything you need to decide: proceed, adjust scope, or wait. If you proceed, we start the architecture sprint the following Monday. If not, you keep every document we've produced.
Total cost of feasibility week: Nothing. This is how we evaluate fit — for both sides. You pay only when we agree it makes sense to build.
Should you hire us at this stage?
Probably not yet.
We're not a validation agency. We don't run ads, conduct market research, or write pitch decks. We build production software. If you haven't validated demand, building is premature.
You're ready for us when:
- ✓You've spoken to 15–20 potential users and understand their pain
- ✓You have some form of demand signal — waitlist, LOIs, manual customers
- ✓You have committed funding ($15K+ available for a proper MVP)
- ✓You know what the core workflow is — even if the details aren't finalized
Not there yet? That's fine. Book a feasibility session anyway — we'll tell you exactly what to do before coming back.