Your startup idea can be stress-tested in days—if you ask the right questions. Here’s how:

1. Is Your Problem Vague or Viral?

Your idea dies if the problem isn’t surgically specific.

Vague problems attract no one; viral problems hook users instantly. For example, “Remote teams need better collaboration” fails—but “Designers waste 12hrs/week fixing Figma version errors” forces action.

If you can’t phrase the pain in one specific sentence, trash the idea.

Specificity isn’t optional—it’s survival.

2. Will Strangers Pay You Today?

The market doesn’t care about your vision—only cash.

Run a 48-hour test: Offer a solution for $50/month and ask strangers to pay a $1 deposit to join a waitlist. A founder that I coached validated an HR tool by getting 15/100 LinkedIn targets to pay upfront.

A conversion rate of less than 10% likely means your problem isn’t urgent.

If they don’t pay $1 , they’ll never pay you $50.

3. Why Would Users Abandon Their Current Solution?

10X better or bust.

Existing alternatives have inertia; you need a seismic advantage. Carrd beat Webflow for non-tech users by offering 1-click publishing. If users wouldn’t switch in 10 seconds, you’re a “nice-to-have.”

Disruption isn’t a buzzword—it’s a death threat to the status quo.

4. What’s Your Unfair (Non-BS) Advantage?

No edge = no oxygen.

Your “passion” means nothing; proprietary access or expertise does. A former Airbnb host scaled a $4M property management tool using hard-won knowledge of guest booking patterns. If “hustle” is your answer, close the laptop.

Ideas are worthless—validation is the battlefield.

Stop brainstorming. Start interrogating.

The difference between a unicorn and a graveyard? These 4 questions.