Research Before You Leap: The Startup Step Most Founders Skip
If you’re a startup founder in the ideation or MVP stage, your idea probably excites you so much you can already imagine customers lining up. But passion alone doesn’t guarantee success.
The startup world is littered with great ideas that failed because founders skipped the most important step which is checking the feasibility before committing time, money, and effort.
This is where market research, competitive landscaping, ideal customer profiling, and positioning come in. Think of them as your GPS for startup success.
Market Research: Ground Your Idea in Reality
Market research tells you:
🔹How big the market is?
🔹Whether it’s growing or shrinking?
🔹What customers want and are willing to pay for?
Skipping it means risking months of work on something few people need.
Example: Building a meal-prep app without knowing if your target audience values premium organic meals or budget-friendly options could lead you in the wrong direction.
Competitive Landscaping: Know the Players
Before you enter the game, you need to know who’s already playing. Competitive landscaping helps you:
🔹Spot direct competitors (similar products).
🔹Spot indirect competitors (different solutions to the same problem).
🔹Learn from others’ successes and mistakes.
Example: If you’re launching a language-learning app, you’ll find Duolingo and Babbel dominate the space. But maybe there’s a gap in industry-specific language training you could own.
Ideal Customer Profile (ICP): Focus on the Right People
Before you enter the game, you need to know who’s already playing. Competitive landscaping helps you:
🔹Spot direct competitors (similar products).
🔹Spot indirect competitors (different solutions to the same problem).
🔹Learn from others’ successes and mistakes.
Example: If you’re launching a language-learning app, you’ll find Duolingo and Babbel dominate the space. But maybe there’s a gap in industry-specific language training you could own.
Positioning: Stand Out or Fade Away
Positioning is how you want customers to see you compared to competitors. It answers:
🔹What makes you unique?
🔹Why should people choose you over others?
Example: If you sell eco-friendly packaging, your positioning might be: the only affordable, fully compostable option for small businesses. Clear positioning makes it easier for customers to say “yes.”
Why This Matters Before You Commit ...
Doing this work early answers critical questions:
🔹Is there enough demand?
🔹Can I realistically reach and win customers?
🔹Can I stand out in a crowded market?
Too many founders skip this and end up spending thousands before realising the product isn’t viable. Early research saves time, money, and heartache.
Final Word
At the early stage, your job isn’t just to build but it’s to build the right thing for the right market.
🔹Market research shows demand.
🔹Competitive landscaping shows opportunities.
🔹Your ICP shows who to target.
🔹Positioning shows how to win.
Do this before you commit, your future self will thank you.
Learn more at t4m.com.au/startup-enablement