Start with the job
When we look at an AI product, our first question is not which model it uses. It is what work the customer needs to get done. Who feels the pain? What does the customer do today? What would have to improve for them to change their habits?
Look for the difficult edges
The demo usually shows the happiest path. The product has to handle the rest: incomplete inputs, exceptions, permission boundaries, and the moments when a person needs to take over. A founder’s understanding of those edges tells us a great deal about their understanding of the customer.
Make value observable
A useful product should make its benefit understandable. That might mean less manual work, a better decision, or a task that was previously impossible. We look for a clear connection between what the product does and why someone would keep using it.
Build a company, not a moment
The durable opportunity is more than access to a capability. It is a thoughtful product, a way to reach the customer, and a learning loop that gets stronger with use. We are interested in the founders doing that deeper work.