Startup Problem Inventory

When to use

Use when the user asks for startup ideas, wants to run an ideation sprint, has several domains to explore, or needs to turn founder experience into a list of problem candidates.

Do not produce a list of polished product ideas by default. First identify arenas where the founder has access, then collect raw problems and choose candidates worth putting into startup-problem-ledger.

Core rule

Treat a strong startup idea as a painful problem noticed from an unfair vantage point, made newly solvable by a change in technology, regulation, behaviour, cost, or distribution.

Use this mental model:

Strong candidate = painful problem + specific customer + founder insight + recent enabling change + cheap validation path + expansion option

Inputs to request if missing