10x Why Now

Thiel's "why now" question formalized. What changed in the last 2-3 years — regulatory, technical, behavioral, market — that makes this viable today but not 5 years ago? If the answer is weak, the idea may be too early, too late, or not differentiated by timing.

Input Dependencies

Read from ./founder-outputs/ if available:

• pressure-test-output.md — demand evidence and contrarian truth
• battle-cards-output.md — competitive landscape (why haven't competitors solved this?)
• market-size-output.md — market dynamics

No files are strictly required — this skill can run standalone.

Frameworks

• Zero to One (Thiel) — the "why now" question. The best startups exploit a specific, recent change that makes something newly possible. If the founder cannot name the change, the idea may address a problem that has existed forever and will continue to not be solved — or that someone already solved.
• Crossing the Chasm (Moore) — timing in the adoption curve. Is the technology/behavior mature enough for the early majority, or is this still an innovator toy? Early is not the same as right.

Methodology