🤖 #18: Vivian's Deeptech Insider: The Power of "No"

Hello and welcome to #18 edition of the fortnightly Vivian’s Deeptech Insider.

In our last newsletter, we dove into the Lean Canvas - Deeptech/Healthtech edition, providing templates and examples of the Lean Strategy Canvas. This was part of the first of the 4Cs (Clarity), focusing on transforming Complexity into Clarity:

1. Complexity → Clarity
   Founders need to translate complex technical problems into business challenges that resonate with non-technical stakeholders. I’ll help you clearly communicate the significance of your solution, making sure everyone understands the problem you’re solving and why it matters.

2. Clarity → Champions
   It’s about more than identifying a problem—it’s about pinpointing your early adopters, refining market positioning, and clearly articulating the problem and customer definition to showcase potential to investors.

3. Champions → Communication
   Deeptech products can be hard to explain. I’ll help translate technical milestones into core features, benefits, and customer impact, ensuring they’re clear and compelling to investors and customers alike.

4. Communication → Clients
   I’ll provide guidance on tracking progress, communicating growth metrics, and updating stakeholders on the product's evolution to demonstrate how scientific advancements translate into tangible value.

Today, we’re wrapping up our discussion on Clarity with a few more essential frameworks for Deeptech startups (AI, Healthtech/Biotech, Spacetech, Climatetech, and more) to assess, accelerate, and commercialise innovations for greater value and impact.

The Power of Saying “No”

As mentioned in a previous edition (#16), mastering the art of saying “no” is a crucial skill and a fundamental part of the first 4Cs. Identifying what not to pursue early on is just as important as defining what you will.

With your Lean Canvas completed - including your Problem set of questions, alongside a clear vision and mission - you now have the foundation for a strong strategic direction. Anything that doesn’t align with this path is simply a distraction.

Here are some key questions to ask yourself when reviewing your Lean Product Canvas to stay focused:

Key "No" Questions to Keep You on Track:

1. Does this opportunity align with our Business Problem and Users?
   Does it tackle a real issue for the customers we’ve identified, or is it pulling us in a new direction?

2. Does it support our Solutions?
   Will this add to the value we’re providing, or is it a distraction?

3. Is this related to the most important things you want to learn first?
   Does it align with the key insights we’ve already prioritised for scaling the business?

4. Will it help us test Hypotheses from our Lean Product Canvas?
   Will pursuing this provide meaningful validation for our business model, or is it a risky detour?

5. Will it impact our Business Outcomes?
   Can it help drive customer acquisition and revenue goals, or will it divert focus from them?

6. Does it affect our scalability?
   Does it fit within the cost structure and revenue model we’ve built, or will it require significant rework to scale?

These questions keep you grounded in your Lean Product Canvas, helping you make decisions based on data and strategy rather than impulse.

FOMO vs. Focus: A Simple Decision Matrix

Speaking of impulse - if you’re like me, a decision matrix (scroll down) is a lifesaver when FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) strikes. It’s easy to get distracted by trends or competitor moves, but staying focused is key.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)

Acting on external pressure rather than strategy.

🔍 Signs of FOMO:

• You feel rushed because others are getting attention.

• You’re acting without validating the idea.

• It looks exciting but doesn’t fit your plan.

💡 Questions to ask:

• Are we chasing this just because it’s trending?

• Is it distracting us from our core business?

• Could it drain resources without real value?

Focus

Staying true to your strategy and solving real customer problems.

🔍 Signs of Focus:

• The opportunity fits your Lean Canvas assumptions.

• It drives measurable progress.

• Resources are used efficiently, without overextending.

💡 Questions to ask:

• Does this align with validated customer problems?

• Will it drive meaningful progress toward our goals?

• Is this a smart use of resources or just a distraction?

The Matrix: FOMO vs. Focus

📌 Bottom Line: If it’s low impact FOMO, it’s a clear no. If it’s high impact but misaligned, ask: Does a pivot make sense, or are we just getting distracted?

Made-Up Deeptech/Healthtech Examples

The FOMO vs. Focus Matrix helps you weigh opportunities based on impact, so you can avoid distractions and stay focused on what truly drives progress. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple table with the right prompts to give yourself five minutes to pause, reflect, and think before acting.

What’s Next?

I hope these frameworks have helped bring more Clarity to your business strategy. Next, we’ll focus on turning Clarity into Champions - identifying early adopters, refining market positioning, and clearly articulating the problem and customer definition to showcase your potential to investors.

Want to work through these frameworks together to gain clarity faster? Hit reply to schedule a quick call and see how I can support and accelerate your growth - time is your most valuable asset, especially in Deeptech and Healthtech!

To continued clarity and success,

– Vivian

P.S. Move my emails to your primary inbox so you see the next edition!

Jobs with Deeptech investors:

• Founder’s Associate - Ada Ventures (VC), London, UK

• VC Analyst - Geek Ventures (VC), Remote (preferably CEE in Europe)

• Associate - Bloomberg Beta (VC), San Francisco, USA

• Associate or Senior Associate - SignalFire (VC), San Francisco, USA

• Summer Graduate Investment Associate - Powerhouse (VC), Remote or Oakland, CA

If you have gotten value out of Vivian’s Deeptech Insider, please help us grow by sharing it with your friends!