How to Evaluate Multiple Startup Ideas (Without Spreadsheets)

Spreadsheet matrices reward columns you can fill, TAM slides, competitor counts, vibe scores. They do not reward proof that a buyer will pay.

Evaluating multiple startup ideas on Idea to Sales means the same gates for every row: Clarify completeness, Create payability, Convert attempts logged.

Shared gates (use for every idea)

| Gate | Pass signal | | --- | --- | | Buyer | Named role + constraint you heard in conversation | | Problem | They already spend time or money on it | | Offer | Payable scope in one paragraph | | Proof | Artifact saved in Idea Bank, dated | | Sales path | Next conversation scheduled, not "post on LinkedIn" |

Run Analyze per idea. If every idea shows "Communicate" gaps but none have Create proof, you are scoring fiction.

Analyze each candidate on Free; compare which step and gaps repeat across drafts.

Scoring without vanity numbers

Use IdeaScore in Clarify when you need a structured verdict, see IdeaScore glossary. The number is not the decision; the missing field is.

Pillar: How to choose which business idea to pursue

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