Day 189 of 1095: Understanding Our Market by Asking the Right Questions

The day started early—woke up with a workout, accompanied by thoughts of the tough times ahead, especially with the ongoing war. I tried to meditate, seeking an escape from the harsh reality, and refocused on advancing our startup.

One of the most important aspects in perfecting the POC process is the ability to truly understand our target audience, the market, and that magic triangle: customer, market, and delivering a specific solution they are willing to pay for, because it addresses a real pain.

To succeed, we need to ask the right questions. Here's where I started:

1. Prevalence and Awareness: How widespread is PTSD among Israeli soldiers and reservists? And more importantly, how aware are they, the military, and the public about the depth of this issue?
2. Current Solutions and Market Gaps: What mental health solutions already exist for Israeli soldiers dealing with PTSD? Where do these solutions fall short? Understanding these gaps is where opportunity lies.
3. Technology Adoption: How open are soldiers and reservists to using technology for mental health? What features in an app would truly resonate with them?
4. Barriers to Seeking Help: What are the main obstacles stopping soldiers from getting the help they need? How can these barriers be broken down with technology?
5. Desired Outcomes: What are the goals of soldiers dealing with PTSD? Is it about reducing symptoms, improving daily life, or something deeper?
6. Integration with Existing Services: How can our app seamlessly integrate with existing mental health services? What collaborations could maximize impact?
7. Cultural Sensitivity: When addressing PTSD among Israeli soldiers, are there cultural nuances that we need to account for? How do we ensure the solution feels authentic and supportive?

By diving into these questions, we can sharpen our understanding of the market and build something that genuinely solves a pressing need. It's about more than just technology—it's about human connection, trust, and delivering real value.

Entrepreneurs, are you asking the right questions in your market? If not, it’s time to start. What would you add to this list? Let’s discuss.