How to Validate a Startup Idea in 2025

Building a startup is risky. Most startups fail not because they can't build the product, but because they build a product nobody wants. Validation is the process of verifying that you are solving a real problem for a real market before you invest significant time and money.

The Validation Framework

At SolidStartup.ai, we believe in a structured approach to validation:

1. Identify the Problem: What pain point are you solving?
2. Define the Customer: Who experiences this pain most acutely?
3. Test the Solution: Does your proposed solution actually solve the problem?

Step 1: The Mom Test

Don't ask your mom if she likes your idea. She loves you, so she'll lie to you. Instead, ask about her life.

• Bad Question: "Would you use an app that helps you find dog walkers?"
• Good Question: "How do you currently find a dog walker when you're busy?"

Step 2: Smoke Tests

Before writing a single line of code, try to sell the value proposition.

• Landing Page: Create a simple page describing your solution.
• Waitlist: Ask for an email address.
• Pre-sales: Ask for a small deposit.

Step 3: The Concierge MVP

Do things that don't scale. If you're building an AI travel planner, start by planning trips manually for your first 10 customers. This gives you invaluable insight into the actual workflow and customer needs.

Conclusion

Validation isn't a one-time event; it's a continuous loop. Build, measure, learn. And if you need help structuring this journey, SolidStartup.ai is here to guide you every step of the way.