How Much Validation Is Enough Before Building an MVP?

The minimum viable validation threshold: Demand Score >65, at least 3 distinct exploitable gaps, and a Transactional Intent Ratio >22%. If all three hold, the data says build. If not, pivot the problem hypothesis. In our internal data, founders who built after meeting all three criteria had a 54% chance of reaching $5K MRR within a year. Those who built with only one criterion met had a 12% chance. Don’t mistake early excitement for enough validation. Use the three-check rule. [Check your validation sufficiency →]