/startup-validator

name: startup-validator
description: Comprehensive startup idea validation and market analysis tool. Use when users need to evaluate a startup idea, assess market fit, analyze competition, validate problem-solution fit, or determine market positioning. Triggers include requests to "validate my startup idea", "analyze market opportunity", "check if there's demand for", "research competition for", "evaluate business idea", or "see if my idea is viable". Provides data-driven analysis using web search, market frameworks, competitive research, and positioning recommendations.

Startup Validator

A comprehensive tool for analyzing startup ideas through systematic market research, competitive analysis, problem validation, and positioning strategy. This skill helps evaluate whether a startup idea has genuine market potential and how to position it effectively.

Core Workflow

When a user presents a startup idea, follow this systematic validation process:

1. Idea Clarification & Scoping (2-3 minutes)

Ensure complete understanding before research begins:

**Extract key information:**

• Problem being solved
• Target customer/market
• Proposed solution
• Business model (if mentioned)
• Geographic focus (default: global/US)

**Ask clarifying questions only if critical information is missing:**

• "Who specifically is your target customer?"
• "What problem are they currently facing?"
• "How are they solving this problem today?"

**Do not ask** for information you can research independently (market size, competitors, trends).

2. Research Plan Development (1 minute)

Based on the idea, create a research plan identifying:

• Market size queries needed
• Competitor research keywords
• Problem validation searches
• Trend analysis topics
• Pricing/business model research

Use templates from `references/research_templates.md` for query formulation.

3. Comprehensive Market Research (10-15 tool calls minimum)

Execute systematic research across all dimensions. **Always use at least 10-15 web searches** to ensure thorough analysis.

A. Market Opportunity (3-5 searches)

Search for:

• Market size and projections
• Growth rates and trends
• TAM/SAM calculations
• Industry reports and forecasts

**Query examples:**

• "[industry] market size 2025"
• "global [product category] market forecast"
• "[industry] growth rate CAGR"

B. Competitive Landscape (3-5 searches)

Search for:

• Direct competitors
• Alternative solutions
• Market leaders
• Recent funding/acquisitions

**Query examples:**

• "[solution type] companies"
• "[product category] alternatives"
• "best [product type] 2025"
• "[industry] startups funding"

C. Problem Validation (2-3 searches)

Search for:

• Evidence of the problem
• Current pain points
• Customer behavior patterns
• Existing budget allocation

**Query examples:**

• "[target customer] challenges [industry]"
• "why [target customer] need [solution]"
• "[problem] statistics"

D. Market Trends (2-3 searches)

Search for:

• Technology trends
• Regulatory changes
• Consumer behavior shifts
• Investment patterns

**Query examples:**

• "[industry] trends 2025"
• "future of [technology/market]"
• "[industry] investment report"

E. Business Model Research (1-2 searches)

Search for:

• Pricing models in the space
• Unit economics benchmarks
• Customer acquisition strategies

**Query examples:**

• "[product] pricing models"
• "[industry] average customer acquisition cost"

**CRITICAL:** Use `web_fetch` to read full articles from authoritative sources (Gartner, McKinsey, Statista, Crunchbase, industry reports) to get detailed data, not just snippets.

4. Data Analysis & Synthesis

After gathering data, analyze using frameworks from `references/frameworks.md`:

Market Opportunity Assessment

• Calculate/estimate TAM, SAM, SOM
• Evaluate growth trajectory
• Identify market trends (favorable/unfavorable)
• Assess market maturity stage

Competitive Positioning

• Map competitive landscape (direct/indirect/adjacent)
• Identify market gaps
• Evaluate barriers to entry
• Assess competitive advantages needed

Problem-Solution Fit

• Validate problem frequency and intensity
• Assess willingness to pay
• Evaluate current solutions and their limitations
• Identify unique value proposition opportunities

Business Model Viability

• Estimate unit economics potential
• Assess scalability
• Evaluate pricing power
• Consider customer acquisition channels

**Optional:** If quantitative data is available, create a JSON file and use `scripts/market_analyzer.py` to calculate metrics and generate additional insights.

5. Risk & Opportunity Identification

Clearly articulate:

• **Critical Risks:** Deal-breakers or major challenges
• **Manageable Risks:** Solvable with strategy/execution
• **Key Opportunities:** Market gaps, timing advantages, trends
• **Assumptions to Validate:** Hypotheses needing testing

6. Positioning Strategy

Develop specific recommendations:

• **Target Market Segmentation:** Primary beachhead market
• **Value Proposition:** Core benefit statement
• **Differentiation Strategy:** How to stand out
• **Go-to-Market Approach:** Distribution and acquisition strategy
• **Positioning Statement:** Concise market positioning

7. Report Generation

Create a comprehensive markdown report with:

# [Startup Idea] Validation Report

## Executive Summary
- One-paragraph overview
- Bottom-line recommendation: STRONG GO / PROCEED WITH VALIDATION / PIVOT RECOMMENDED / NOT VIABLE
- 3-5 key findings

## Market Analysis
### Market Size & Growth
- TAM/SAM/SOM estimates with sources
- Growth rate and trajectory
- Market maturity assessment

### Market Trends
- Key favorable trends
- Potential headwinds
- Timing considerations

## Competitive Landscape
### Direct Competitors
- List with brief descriptions
- Market share/position
- Strengths and weaknesses

### Indirect Competition
- Alternative solutions
- Substitutes

### Competitive Ga