BATCH0 — FOUNDER STARTER WORKSHEET
Free companion to https://batch0.org/start
Version: September 14, 2026

Use this in any notes app. Share the blank worksheet freely with attribution.
Your answers belong to you. This file does not submit or upload your answers.
About one hour to prepare your plan; do the real-world tests afterward.

Project working name:
Date:
Review partner (classmate, teammate, or club advisor):

1. PROBLEM — 10 MINUTES

One specific type of person:
The job they are trying to do:
When the problem occurs:
Their current workaround:
What that costs (time, money, or missed outcome):
Three people I can reach who might have this problem:

Problem statement:
[Specific person] struggles to [job] when [situation]. Today they
[workaround], which costs [time, money, or missed outcome].

What I know from observation:
What I am assuming:
What evidence would make me change my mind:

2. CUSTOMER CONVERSATIONS — 15 MINUTES TO PREPARE

Five potential interviewees (use initials in shared documents):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Invitation:
I'm learning how [audience] handles [job]. Could you walk me through your
last experience for 15 minutes? I'm looking to understand the problem.
No need to try or buy anything.

Questions:
- Tell me about the last time this happened.
- Walk me through what you did.
- What was the hardest part?
- What did it cost you in time, money, or missed opportunities?
- What have you already tried to improve it?

Interview note template (copy once per conversation):
Participant initials / date:
Recent incident:
Current workaround:
Frequency and cost:
Exact quote (only if permission to retain/share as needed):
What the person actually did:
My interpretation, separate from the facts:
Follow-up I have permission to make:

Get permission before recording. Keep contact details and sensitive
information out of shared notes. Follow school/program rules for contact.
Compliments and hypothetical purchase promises are weak evidence.

3. SMALLEST HONEST TEST — 15 MINUTES

Riskiest assumption:
Audience:
Observable action I am testing:
Small experiment (manual service, prototype, or clearly labeled pilot):
What the prototype actually does today:
What is not built yet:
Test participants and recruitment method:
Cash budget (start at $0):
Time budget:
Test deadline:

Decision rule, written BEFORE results:
Continue if:
Change direction if:
Stop if:

Results log:
Invited:
Tried:
Completed the core task:
Returned / asked to use it again:
Paid (only actual payments; describe refunds separately):
What I observed:
What this small sample cannot tell me:
Next decision:

4. FIRST USERS AND PRICE — 10 MINUTES

One channel where the exact audience already spends time:
Why those people have this problem:
Community permission or introduction needed:
Small first invitation:
I’m testing [solution] for [audience]. It currently does [real capability].
Would you try [small next step] and tell me where it breaks?

Track actions, not impressions:
Invitations:
Replies:
Trials:
Repeat use:
Paying customers:

Price hypothesis (not a proven willingness to pay):
What it costs to serve one customer:
One reason someone might pay:
How I will test the price honestly:

5. ONE-MINUTE PITCH — 10 MINUTES

We help [audience] do [job].
Today they [workaround].
Our current prototype [real capability].
We tested [experiment] with [actual sample size].
We observed [actual evidence, including disappointing results].
We still need to learn [open question].
Our next step is [test + date].
We need [one concrete request].

No traction yet? Say that. Describe the planned test instead.
Never invent users, revenue, testimonials, partnerships, or funding.

MY NEXT SEVEN DAYS

First conversation date:
Smallest-test deadline:
Evidence review date:
Person who will challenge my reasoning:
One thing I am deliberately not building yet:

MORE HELP

Full kit and guides: https://batch0.org/start
Program and current tuition: https://batch0.org/program
Parents' questions: https://batch0.org/#faq
Already enrolled: https://batch0.org/dashboard/course

batch0 is a live, online accelerator for high schoolers, ages 13–18.
Applying is free. Tuition is charged only if accepted. No equity taken;
funding is never guaranteed. See the program page for current details.