How to validate a business idea in the UK

Step 1: write the idea down in five parts

If you cannot fill in all five, that is your first finding. You can score your description free with Solopreneur Protocol to see which parts are vague.

• The problem: who it hurts, how often, what it costs.
• The customer: a role or trade, narrowed by size, place or situation.
• The offer and price: what they get, how much, how they pay.
• The channel: where you will reach them, with a weekly number.
• The first sale: the smallest version you could sell within 14 days.

Step 2: find 30 people who fit (days 1–2)

• LinkedIn search by job title and UK region.
• Companies House for businesses by type and area (SIC code search).
• Trade associations, local Chamber of Commerce events and Federation of Small Businesses groups.
• Local Facebook groups, Reddit communities such as r/UKPersonalFinance or industry subreddits (read the rules first).
• People you already know who match, and people they can introduce you to.

Step 3: hold 10 problem conversations (days 3–7)

Ask about their past behaviour, not your idea. "Tell me about the last time this happened" beats "Would you use an app that…". Note the exact words they use; they become your marketing copy later.

Signal to look for: at least half describe the problem without you prompting, and they have already tried to fix it (spent money, time or built a spreadsheet).

Step 4: ask for money (days 8–14)

Write a one-page offer with a price. Go back to the people who had the problem and ask for a pre-order, a deposit or a paid pilot. Three paid commitments from strangers is a strong early signal; zero is useful information too.

• If you take payment, give clear terms and a privacy notice, and keep records for HMRC.
• Be honest that it is an early version and say what is included.

What does not count as validation

• Friends saying it is a great idea.
• Survey responses where nothing is at stake.
• Social media likes.
• Competitors existing (that shows a market, not that people will buy from you).