I found test cards especially useful because they challenge founders’ assumptions before they invest too much time and money into a product.
Recently, I talked with an AI startup that was considering developing jewelry-like AI hardware. They asked us whether college students, one of their potential target customer groups, would actually be willing to use such a device. This reminded me of the Humane AI Pin and the uncertainty around whether people really want another device when they already have smartphones.
As development costs continue to decrease, especially in software, building new products is becoming easier than ever. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean people need those products. In fact, I wonder if lower development costs are making it easier to create products that nobody actually wants.
This is why I think test cards are so valuable. They push founders to question their assumptions and validate real customer needs before committing significant resources.
