Day 424 of 1,095: Four Types of Startup Problems (And How to Fall in Lve with the Right One)

Founders don’t build products. They solve problems.

But not all problems are created equal—and if you don’t understand the type of problem you’re solving, you might build something beautiful… that nobody needs.

After 424 days of building, mentoring—I’ve learned this: the best founders don’t just have ideas. They know what kind of problem they’re solving, and what tools to use at each stage.

Here’s the Problem Maturity Model—a map to help you navigate the journey from “what if?” to “we shipped it.”

1. The Horizon Zone (Unclear & Expansive)

Big questions, fuzzy answers.

This is the "what if" stage. You’re asking: “What might be possible in 5–10 years?” You’re not building yet. You’re exploring, imagining, scanning the horizon for what could be.

Example: “How will climate migration shape global labor markets in 2035?”

Tip 1: Start with questions, not solutions. Let the problem reveal itself. Don’t rush to fix what you haven’t fully understood.

Tip 2: Use trend signals, not just gut instinct. Weak signals today = massive shifts tomorrow.

Tip 3: Stay playful in early phases. Creativity > certainty. Let go of needing to be right.

2. The Discovery Zone (Plausible & Emerging)

Signals are starting to show.

Now you’re moving from “what if?” to “what’s plausible?” You’re exploring emerging technologies, shifts in behavior, and market gaps.

Example: “How can small businesses benefit from generative AI today?”

Tip 4: Talk to real users early. Your assumptions are dangerous. Get outside your head and into someone’s pain.

Tip 5: Prototype fast, validate faster. Rough, fast, and ugly beats perfect and late.

Tip 6: Kill your darlings. Falling in love with an idea is easy. Letting it go when it doesn’t stick—that’s the work.

3. The Concept Zone (Defined Opportunity)

Time to get specific.

Now the question is: “What exactly should we offer?”

This is where tools like Design Thinking and Jobs-to-be-Done shine. You’re shaping hypotheses, testing solutions, and iterating fast.

Example: “Can we solve remote team burnout with async culture tools?”

Tip 7: Sketch your problem, not your product. The more precise your problem definition, the sharper your solution.

Tip 8: Map your problem stage. Before you build, ask: Are we exploring, validating, or executing?

4. The Execution Zone (Well-Defined & Buildable)

Time to build and scale.

Now it’s all about action: “How do we make this offering real, reliable, and scalable?”

This is where traditional product development kicks in—roadmaps, milestones, growth strategies.

Example: “How do we scale from 5,000 to 100,000 users sustainably?”

Tip 9: Translate vision into action. A dream without execution is a fantasy. Make it real.

Tip 10: Fall in love with the problem, not the solution. It’s the only way to stay relevant as markets shift.

Final Thought: Know Your Zone

Too many founders jump straight to execution—without fully understanding the problem. But the most resilient startups? They move with intention. They know whether they're imagining, discovering, designing, or delivering.

So ask yourself:

Where are you on the map? And more importantly—where should you be?

Eliav.