DVF Framework: A 3-Step Test for Startup Ideas

According to CB Insights, the #2 reason startups fail (35% of them) is that they build something with "no market need."

Think about that. After running out of cash, the single biggest killer of new ventures is building something nobody wants.

It’s the quiet fear every founder has: "What if I build this, and nobody buys it?"

After my first startup failed for this exact reason, I became obsessed with answering that question before a single line of code is written. The result is a simple, powerful filtering tool I use with every founder I mentor: The DVF Framework.

DVF stands for Desirability, Viability, and Feasibility. An idea must be a resounding "YES" on all three to be worth pursuing. Think of it as a three-gate checkpoint. If it fails any one of them, you go back to the drawing board—saving yourself months, or even years, of wasted effort.

Let's break it down.

Gate 1: Desirability (Do THEY want it?) This directly solves the "no market need" problem. It's the most important gate, and the one most founders skip. It has nothing to do with you or your passion; it's all about the customer. Desirability asks if your idea is:

• Solving a Real, Significant Problem: Is this a "hair-on-fire" problem, or just a minor inconvenience?

• For a Large Enough Market: Is the potential audience big enough to build a substantial business?

• Innovative: Does your solution offer a novel approach or a 10x improvement over existing alternatives?

Gate 2: Viability (Will it WORK as a business?) An idea can be desirable but still be a terrible business. Viability addresses other top failure reasons like a "flawed business model" (19%) and "pricing issues" (15%). It asks if your business model is:

• Profitable: Can you charge a price that covers your costs and leaves a healthy margin?

• Scalable & Sustainable: Can the business grow significantly without requiring an equal increase in resources?

• Defensible: What is your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and your barrier to entry that prevents competitors from easily copying you?

Gate 3: Feasibility (Can YOU build it?) This is often the first question founders ask, but it should always be the last. Feasibility is about your ability to execute. It asks if the project is feasible across several domains:

• Technical & Operational: Do you have the skills and processes to build and deliver the product?

• Financial: Do you have access to the capital needed to reach the MVP stage?

• Legal/Regulatory: Are there any significant legal hurdles or regulations to overcome?

Passion is the fuel, but a solid framework is the engine. By systematically running your ideas through the DVF gauntlet, you move from hopeful gambling to strategic, de-risked decision-making.

In my live, 3-hour webinar, "Launch Your Dream Venture," we dedicate an entire section to this. I'll walk you through hands-on exercises to score your own idea against each of these gates. Join me on Saturday, September 27th. Enrollment is just ₹99. Secure your spot here: https://tinyurl.com/56vyyrdm