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- ♞ Who You’re Really Competing Against
Most early-stage founders overestimate their competition.
When you think of competitors, your first instinct is usually other startups in your space. But in reality, people don’t always switch to a new app or tool just because it exists—they stick with what works, even if it’s imperfect.
Your real competitors are often:
Quick DIY solutions people set up themselves
Notes, spreadsheets, or simple templates that get the job done
Groups, forums, or communities where they trade advice
Informal hacks or workarounds learned from friends
Or…just doing nothing and tolerating the problem
These options are low-friction and familiar, which makes them surprisingly sticky.
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The lesson: Your product doesn’t just have to be better than other startups—it has to be compelling enough to make someone change behavior. That means reducing friction, improving outcomes, and creating a clear incentive to switch.
A Practical Exercise:
Talk to 5 potential users this week.
Ask how they currently solve the problem you’re tackling.
Identify patterns in what works, what frustrates them, and where they’re compromising.
Understanding the real alternatives your customers use will give you clarity on where to focus, how to position your product, and what it really takes to win adoption.
Takeaway: Don’t measure yourself by the shiny competitors you see online—measure yourself by what people are actually using every day. That’s the benchmark that matters.
Do you have a persuasive competition slide? |
Are you looking to grow your business? Here is how I can help:
📱 Book a Strategy Call to get 1:1 feedback on your pitch, pitch deck and/or fundraising strategy. (If you need general startup advice, then reply to this email, and I’ll let you know if/how I can help.)
Onwards and Upwards,
