Free sample lesson ยท How to get startup ideas
Start With Problems
Why does applying AI first often produce fake problems?
Lesson 1 of the Wondering course How to get startup ideas
Start With Problems: Overview
Starting with the problem keeps founders from building polished solutions that users do not care about.
The Trap of Exciting Technology
Many founders start with a technology they love and then hunt for a way to use it. Jared Friedman calls this a Solution in Search of a Problem (SISP).
- Solution in Search of a Problem
- Problem-First Approach
This approach is dangerous. It often leads you to build a polished product that nobody actually needs.
While the technology might be impressive, it does not guarantee that users will care enough to change their behavior.
Spotting a Made-Up Problem
A common mistake is asking what you can apply AI to. This forces you to invent a problem that sounds plausible but lacks real urgency.
Founders often assume that exciting tech compensates for weak user demand. This is a misconception.
If you start with the solution, you might find a superficial problem. However, you will likely miss the deep pain points that drive adoption.
Defining High-Quality Problems
A high-quality startup idea begins with a problem that is both specific and tractable.
Avoid broad, abstract issues like global poverty. While these are important, they are often too large for a small startup to attack effectively.
Instead, look for a concrete pain point. A good problem is one you can observe in the real world and solve with a focused product.
The Problem-First Workflow
To build a successful startup, you must reverse your thinking. Observe a real painful need before choosing a technology.
Verify that the pain is specific. Only then should you decide if AI or another tool is the right way to fix it.
- Observe Pain: Spot a real, painful need in the world before choosing any technology.
- Verify Need: Check that the pain is specific, urgent, and experienced by real users.
- Choose Tool: Select AI or another appropriate tool only after confirming the problem matters.
Falling in love with the problem ensures you build something people want. This sequence keeps you from wasting time on solutions that do not matter.
Putting It All Together
- Identify Origin: Check if the idea started with cool tech (SISP) or a real observed pain point.
- Filter Scope: Ensure the problem is specific and tractable rather than an abstract global issue.
- Verify Demand: Confirm users care enough to change their behavior before writing any code.
Keep going
This is lesson 1 of 14 in How to get startup ideas. Next up:
- Detect Tar Pits
- Choose Morphable Starts
- Match Team to Market
- Size Timing Acuity
- Read Competition and Proxies
Wondering turns any topic into short lessons you can read, watch, or listen to, with practice questions and an AI tutor.