Most pitch decks are theater. Founders who raise fast answer 5 brutal questions before the deck even opens:
1. How bad is the problem?
Not "is this cool" — is it hair-on-fire pain? Are users already hacking workarounds? If they're not bleeding, they won't pay.
2. What do people use today?
Every problem has a solution, even if it's Excel + duct tape. You're not competing with "nothing" — you're competing with their current jank setup.
3. Will they pay, and how much?
Interest ≠ revenue. If you haven't tested pricing before building, you're guessing. And guessing kills startups.
4. Can you reach them?
Great product + zero distribution = dead. A mid product that owns the channel wins every time. Distribution isn't a nice-to-have.
5. Does the market carry you?
A-players in a tiny market lose to average founders in a massive one. Market size isn't a slide — it's survival.
YC said it in 4 words: make something people want.
Most founders never actually test if they did.
1. How bad is the problem?
Not "is this cool" — is it hair-on-fire pain? Are users already hacking workarounds? If they're not bleeding, they won't pay.
2. What do people use today?
Every problem has a solution, even if it's Excel + duct tape. You're not competing with "nothing" — you're competing with their current jank setup.
3. Will they pay, and how much?
Interest ≠ revenue. If you haven't tested pricing before building, you're guessing. And guessing kills startups.
4. Can you reach them?
Great product + zero distribution = dead. A mid product that owns the channel wins every time. Distribution isn't a nice-to-have.
5. Does the market carry you?
A-players in a tiny market lose to average founders in a massive one. Market size isn't a slide — it's survival.
YC said it in 4 words: make something people want.
Most founders never actually test if they did.