The Path

The gated path

The path is walked once, in order. Each stage ends with an exit test decided in advance and a proof file that shows it was passed. Stages can overlap (setup alongside problem interviews), but no gate can be skipped.

Build
trap

Filled gates need money from real buyers. The build trap lives here: versions keep improving while stages 2 and 4 stay unpassed. No new version before the stage 2 proof.

Stage 1
Problem
Work
15 talks about what people did last time
Exit test
A problem people already spend on
Proof file
15 dated interview notes in the script's format, each with the person's past spending
Open stage 1
Build trap. The build trap lives here: versions keep improving while stages 2 and 4 stay unpassed. No new version before the stage 2 proof.

Stage 1

Problem

Work: 15 talks about what people did last time
Exit test: A problem people already spend on
Proof file: 15 dated interview notes in the script's format, each with the person's past spending

Open stage 1

Your progress

0 of 7 gates passed

Tick a stage when you have its proof file. Saved in this browser only.

Tick a gate only when its proof file exists. Nothing passes on say-so.

The stages

Stage 0, setting up the company (company type, registration, GST, founders' agreement), is being checked by a CA or CS and will appear here once they sign it. Until then, ask your own CA or CS.

Stage	Work	Exit test	Proof file
1. Problem	15 talks about what people did last time	A problem people already spend on	15 dated interview notes in the script's format, each with the person's past spending
2. Demand	Pre-orders, deposits or letters of intent	Committed buyers at a set price	The commitments themselves: receipts, deposit proofs or signed letters
3. Cheapest prototype	Test only the riskiest assumption; ugly is fine	That assumption passed or failed	A one-page test note, written before the test: assumption, test, result
The build trap The build trap lives here: versions keep improving while stages 2 and 4 stay unpassed. No new version before the stage 2 proof.
4. First 10 paid units	Deliver, get paid, watch them use it	Paid, delivered, in use	10 invoices with payment records and a use note per customer
5. Cost sheet and pricing	Fixed and variable costs, price per volume, GST	A floor price at each order size	The cost sheet at three volumes; the CA's check of the GST line
6. First hires	Three-layer hiring, offer letters, payroll	Roles filled by a scored process	Scoring sheets written before the interviews; signed offer letters with the IP clause
7. Repeat and scale	Operating rhythm running; scheme applications	Repeat orders or referrals	Four consecutive weekly reviews; the repeat-order list; scheme application drafts

Highlighted: stages 2 and 4 need money from real buyers.

What the track adds to the gates

Showing all tracks. Answer three questions to see only yours.

Stage	Physical product	Software	Services
3	Provisional patent filed before any public demo, video or post showing the inner design	IP-assignment and confidentiality agreements signed by everyone who builds	Scope-of-work template used for the first pilot
4	Purchase order or MOU with the vendor: specification, quantity, price, date, late penalty, payment tied to delivery	Privacy policy and terms live before the first user's data is collected	Advance and milestone payments written into the contract