Stage 0: Orientation

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Orientation exists to explore one core question:
“Is this a problem I want to pursue, right now?”

This stage is not typically characterized by building, pitching, or selling. Instead, founders at this point are often working toward clarity, personal commitment, and early constraint-setting.

Goal: Move from vague idea → more precise problem framing

At this phase, founders are often exploring:

• What the problem is (in plain language)
   
• Who experiences it most frequently
   
• When it tends to show up
   
• What happens if it remains unsolved
   

Artifact: A one-paragraph problem statement that describes the problem without referencing a solution.

Goal: Explore whether timing creates urgency or opportunity

Founders commonly reflect on:

• What has changed recently (market, behavior, regulation, technology)
   
• Why the problem may not have been solved effectively before
   
• What risks might exist if this is pursued too early — or too late
   

Artifact: : A short “why now” explanation grounded in observable reality rather than trends alone.

Goal: Examine whether this is the right problem for this founder

At this stage, founders often consider:

• What lived experience, access, or insight they bring
   
• What advantage they may have compared to a smart outsider
   
• What personal costs this path could require over 2–3 years
   

Artifact: A clear founder–problem fit rationale — or a decision to pause or walk away.

Goal: Reduce early chaos by naming boundaries

Founders frequently work to clarify:

• What they are explicitly not doing in the next 60–90 days
   
• Which assumptions they are holding but have not tested
   
• What evidence would meaningfully challenge the idea
   

Artifact: A short list of exclusions and falsifiable assumptions.

Goal: Determine whether moving into Stage 1 makes sense

Founders who are ready to advance are often able to say:

• “I can describe the problem clearly without mentioning a solution.”
   
• “I know who to talk to next and why.”
   
• “I know what evidence would change my mind.”
   

Artifact: A Stage 1 entry outline describing who to learn from, what to explore, and what to test.