Don’t Build It Yet: How Smart Startups Validate Before They Launch

At Henson.VC, we see dozens of founders every month who are passionate, driven—and dangerously close to wasting months (or years) building something no one asked for.

Here’s the truth:

The biggest threat to your startup isn’t competition—it’s building the wrong thing.

That’s where validation comes in.

What Is Startup Validation?

Validation is the process of testing your business assumptions before you invest serious time and capital. It’s how startups de-risk decisions, learn fast, and avoid costly misfires.

Instead of building your entire product and hoping it sticks, you run a series of smart, lightweight experiments that answer a single question:

“Do people actually want this?”

Why Most Startups Skip This Step (and Why You Shouldn’t)

Many founders fall into the "build trap"—convinced they just need to launch fast. But building without validation is like flying blind.

Without validation:

• You risk solving a problem nobody cares about

• You pour money into features no one will use

• You miss the chance to learn from your ideal customers early

  
  

A Smarter Way: Lean Validation in 3 Steps

Here’s the startup validation process we recommend at Henson.VC:

✅ Step 1: Define What You Need to Learn

Are you validating the problem, the solution, pricing, or your business model?

Example: “Will small business owners pay for AI-powered social media content?”

✅ Step 2: Map Assumptions & Form Hypotheses

Break down what you believe to be true. Then turn them into testable statements.

Example: “If we launch a landing page offering automated Instagram posts, at least 5% of visitors will sign up for the waitlist.”

✅ Step 3: Design Experiments to Test

Choose from dozens of lean, proven experiments:

• Customer interviews – Learn what people actually struggle with

• Landing pages – Gauge real interest with email signups

• Explainer videos – Test understanding and value perception

• A/B tests – Compare pricing or features

• Concierge MVPs – Manually deliver value before building tech

Bonus: 5 Experiments We Love (and Recommend)

1. Picnic in the Graveyard – Study failed startups in your space

2. Smoke Test Landing Pages – See if people click “Buy Now” before it exists

3. App Mockups – Simulate your product in Figma or InVision

4. Wizard of Oz MVP – Deliver manually, but look automated

5. Letters of Intent – Get buyers to sign a non-binding commitment

   
   

Bottom Line: Test Before You Build

If you’re raising capital or scaling a product, validation isn’t optional—it’s survival. At Henson.VC, we back founders who test early, move fast, and learn before they build.

Before you code, design, or scale—ask yourself:

“Have I validated the demand?”

Because there’s no pride in building the perfect product that nobody wants.

👋 Want help validating your startup? Pitch us at henson.vc

We back bold founders who move fast and smart.