Gruow’s

Idea Validation Guide

Why this checklist exists

We love to create—it’s why Gruow exists. But more importantly, we want to work on products that will likely succeed.

Because our Design Sprints are fast (14 days) and hyper-focused on outcomes, missing the foundational steps will only accelerate failure. We aren’t testing you. We are serving as a mirror to ensure your idea is ready for the speed of our process.

The steps below indicate areas that a robust validation may cover, but isn’t a rigid rulebook. You may have validated your idea differently, and that is completely fine. Use this list as a guide to understand the clarity and confidence we expect before we hit the ground running.

The problem

You cannot solve a problem you cannot name.

I have a clear Problem Statement

Bad Statement

We want to make cooking easier for parents

Good Statement

Single parents spend 6 hrs/wk planning meals & end up ordering out

I have proof of Pain Intensity

I can point to specific quotes from our research, angry forum posts, or lost money that proves this problem hurts right now.

The audience

Validation happens outside the building.

  • I have done 5+ user interviews
  • I have a specific one-person persona
  • I have recorded their messy workarounds

The market

  • I have analyzed 3+ competitors and where they fail
  • I have found search intent (smoke) online.

The solution

  • I have a clear ‘core loop’ hypotheses
  • “If the user does [ACTION], they get [RESULT].”

Commercial intent

Do you have at least ONE signal?

  • Email waitlist or social following
  • Questions about release date
  • Verbal or written commitment

Readiness scorecard

0-3 checks

You are still in discovery. Good job saving money! Go ask more questions.

4 checks

Proceed with caution. You have a strong hunch, but risks remain.

5 checks

Ready for Sprint. You have a validated problem. Let’s get started.