Where are you starting from?

Everyone enters the Academy with different experiences, ideas and questions.

This is not a test, and there are no right or wrong answers. Choose what most closely reflects where you are today, and we’ll suggest the most useful place to begin.

Time: About two minutes

1. What are you working with today?

I’m interested in starting something, but I haven’t chosen a problem yet.

I’ve noticed an opportunity through my work or personal experience.

I have an idea that I want to test with potential customers.

I’m creating or testing the first version of a product or service.

I already have something available to customers.

I run an existing business that I want to improve or grow.

2. How clear is the problem you want to work on?

I’m still exploring different problems.

I recognise a problem from my own experience, but haven’t explored it fully.

I’ve chosen a problem, but need to hear more from customers.

I understand the problem and am deciding how best to solve it.

I have customer or market evidence that the problem matters.

I understand the problem within my existing business and want to address it.

3. What have you done with potential customers so far?

I haven’t spoken to potential customers yet.

I’ve discussed the problem with people in my professional or personal network.

I’ve had focused conversations to understand their needs.

I’ve shown people a concept, prototype or early version.

People have used, signed up for or paid for something.

I regularly interact with customers through my existing business.

4. What exists today?

A few interests or possible directions.

Knowledge, experience or an insight I want to explore.

A clear idea or proposed solution.

A sketch, prototype, landing page or simple first version.

A working product or service with some activity.

An operating business, product or service that I want to improve.

5. Which statement sounds most like you right now?

I need help choosing where to focus.

I know the space well, but need to turn that knowledge into an opportunity.

I need to find out whether customers really want my idea.

I need to decide what to build and how simple the first version can be.

I need to attract more of the right customers and understand what drives growth.

I need to improve how my current business sells, operates or serves customers.

6. What feels most uncertain?

Which problem is worth pursuing.

Whether my experience points to a strong business opportunity.

Whether customers care enough about the problem.

What the first version should include.

How to generate consistent customer interest or sales.

Which improvement would create the most value for my existing business.

7. What would make the Academy most valuable to you?

Leaving with a clear problem to pursue.

Turning what I know into a focused business idea.

Having evidence that my idea is worth developing.

Having a first version that people can try.

Knowing how to attract customers and build momentum.

Having tested a practical way to improve or grow my business.