Here's Exactly What We Look For.
Score Yourself.

You've worked in this industry. You know the customers, the problems, the language. You're not guessing — you KNOW this market needs this product.

Score 5 example

“I've managed restaurant operations for 8 years across 3 cities. I've dealt with reservation chaos personally at every restaurant I've run.”

Someone has told you they want this — ideally with their wallet. Waitlists, letters of intent, pre-orders, early customers. Evidence > opinions.

Score 5 example

“47 restaurants have pre-paid $99/year for early access. We have a waitlist of 200 more.”

You know how this makes money. Not 'we'll figure it out' — actual pricing, actual customers, actual path to revenue.

Score 5 example

“$49/month per restaurant location. 47 pre-paying at $99/year. Target: 200 locations in year 1 = $117K ARR.”

We can build this. It fits our tech stack, it's scoped to an achievable MVP, and it doesn't require technology we don't have.

Score 5 example

“Web app (Next.js), PostgreSQL, simple reservation management and SMS notifications. No hardware.”

You're going full-time on this (or close to it) once the product is built. You'll handle sales, marketing, and growth. We build — you sell.

Score 5 example

“I've already signed up to speak at 3 restaurant industry conferences. I'm resigning from my current role when we sign the term sheet.”