A framework for finding product-market fit | Todd Jackson (First Round Capital)

Jackson presents fit as a series of stages rather than a single moment that solves every problem. Early work centers on satisfying customers, followed by demand and then delivery efficiency. This is his B2B framework, not a universal checklist or a promise of success.

He separates whether users value a product, whether more people want it, and whether it can be delivered repeatedly and efficiently. A product can look strong on one dimension while remaining weak on another. Use the distinction to ask a clearer question about the current bottleneck.

Jackson suggests thinking of a market as a collection of people with goals and challenges. The persona is therefore more specific than a broad software category. Understanding those people is the basis for choosing which problem to address.

His four Ps are persona, problem, promise and product. They offer separate things to change when the current approach is not working. A different audience or promise may matter as much as adding another feature to the same product.

Jackson warns against looking only for comments that support what a founder already wants to build. His discovery approach starts with the person's challenges and priorities. The purpose is to learn what matters independently of the proposed solution.

He distinguishes a mild positive reaction from someone asking to meet again or show the idea to colleagues. Those actions can reveal stronger interest than a compliment. They remain signals to investigate, not proof that someone will buy or keep using the product.

Jackson contrasts ideas that could be explained through mock-ups with products that needed a demonstration using real data or the actual work. The right early artifact depends on the problem and promise. Build enough to let the customer evaluate the claim rather than assuming every idea can be tested in the same way.