Video · ~30 min

How to Get and Test Startup Ideas

YC · YC Startup Library Free Beginner

Bridges the gap between 'I have an idea' and 'I have evidence.' Gives a concrete framework for cheap, fast tests so you stop debating your idea in your head and start putting it in front of reality.

  • An idea is a hypothesis, not a plan, design a test for it.
  • Cheaper, faster tests beat elaborate ones.
  • Look for signal in behaviour, not applause.
Open on ycombinator.com ↗

It answers 6 questions

  1. What actually counts as an MVP, and what's the smallest one I can get away with?
  2. How do I validate an idea without building anything?
  3. I have too many ideas. How do I pick which one to actually work on?
  4. How do I actually validate my idea with a no-code prototype before I sink weeks into building the real thing?
  5. Should I validate an idea before I can code, or learn to build first?
  6. My market is huge on paper but almost nobody is actually paying for solutions today. Good sign or bad?

Read with it

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