Startup Validation Checklist
Startup Validation Checklist
Use before and after your 1Founder session. Each item maps to what the specialist agents cover in the boardroom.
Validation score
0%
1
Problem Validation
Do you have evidence that the problem is real, urgent, and widespread?
I have spoken to 10+ potential customers about the problem
Not about your solution — about their problem. Unsolicited, detailed, painful descriptions of the issue.
Market Viability agent · Consumer Research agent
I can name the specific situation where the problem occurs
"When [trigger], [persona] struggles to [outcome] because [root cause]."
Strategy agent
People are currently paying (money or time) to solve this problem imperfectly
Existing workarounds are the best evidence of willingness to pay.
Market Viability agent · CFO agent
The market size is large enough to build a meaningful business
For VC-backed: TAM >$1B. For bootstrapped: SOM of ₹10Cr+ reachable in 3 years.
Market Viability agent
2
Solution Validation
Will people pay for your specific solution to this problem?
I have a clear, testable value proposition
"For [ICP] who [problem], we provide [solution] that [key benefit] unlike [alternatives]."
Strategy agent · GTM agent
At least 3 potential customers have said they would pay for my solution
"Would pay" means they gave a specific price, not "yeah sounds interesting."
Sales agent · Consumer Research agent
I have a working prototype or MVP (even if scrappy)
Something a real customer can interact with — not a deck, not a video.
Product agent
My solution is meaningfully better than the best existing alternative
10x better in one dimension (not slightly better in all).
Market Viability agent · Strategy agent
3
Business Model Validation
Can this become a profitable business, not just a product?
My gross margin is viable for my business model
SaaS: >70%. D2C: >35%. Marketplace: >20%. Below this, scaling makes losses bigger.
CFO agent · Unit Economics agent
My LTV:CAC ratio is above 3:1
This is the minimum for a sustainable business. Below 1:1 means you lose money on every customer.
CFO agent · Unit Economics agent
I have a clear, specific acquisition channel with evidence it works
"Content marketing" is not a channel. "SEO for [keyword cluster] generating [X] signups/month at [CAC]" is a channel.
GTM agent · Performance Marketing agent
My pricing has been tested — at least one person has paid
Pricing is not real until money has changed hands. Pre-launch commitments are not real.
Pricing agent · CFO agent
4
Risk Validation
Have you identified and addressed the biggest risks?
I know the single assumption that breaks everything if it's wrong
Every business has one. Name it explicitly.
Risk agent · Strategy agent
I have checked regulatory requirements for my sector
Fintech: RBI. Food: FSSAI. Health: CDSCO. EdTech: MoE. Ignoring this = expensive surprise.
Legal agent · Fintech agent / Health agent
I have enough runway to reach my next validation milestone
If you run out of money before product/market fit, none of this matters. Minimum 12 months recommended.
CFO agent
I have run a 1Founder boardroom session on this idea
40+ specialists have challenged all of the above. You know which assumptions the boardroom flagged as wrong.
Chief of Staff synthesis

How to use this with 1Founder

Complete this checklist before your session. In your session brief, mention which items you have NOT checked — that tells the boardroom where to focus its analysis.

After your session, re-check this list. Items the boardroom flagged as weak should be unchecked. Your goal is to get all 16 checked before committing significant capital.

Run your free session at 1founder.ai → The boardroom will tell you which boxes you think you've checked but haven't.