It starts with this:
Your innovation should be on paper before it’s ever in code.
Too many brilliant minds rush into development without grounding the idea in real-world demand. Steve Jobs said: “Start with the user, not the invention.”
I’ve interacted with countless innovators — smart, talented people.
But here’s the bitter truth:
An idea is not enough.
You must prove a problem exists, and that people care enough to pay for a solution.
Here’s the 6-stage framework that’s saved both my time and money as a builder:
- Data Collection
- Planning & Analysis
- Design
- Implementation
- Testing
- Deployment & Launch
Skip any of these, and you risk failure.
Data Collection:
This is where you hit the ground.
Do people really suffer from the problem you’re solving? Or are they simply used to it and not looking for change?
This step alone filters out 50% of doomed startups.
Planning & Analysis:
Once you validate the problem, ask:
Is your solution the best one for it?
Refine it.
Bring in a team to brainstorm.
This is where you decide how the solution will be delivered — app, web platform, hardware?
Design:
If you’re building software, don’t just sketch screens.
Involve users.
Let them interact with your mockups and share honest feedback.
The goal is to design something so intuitive it doesn’t need a manual.
Implementation:
Now bring in the devs.
If your planning and design were solid, this phase is the most straightforward.
But don’t rush. This is where precision matters.
Testing:
You test in two ways:
Internally: to make sure everything works
Externally: bring back your target users
See if it solves the problem as they experience it.
This is your second “real world” check.
Deployment & Launch:
You already know your market exists — so hit it hard.
- Launch officially
- Register with URSB
- Create clear internal structures
- Offer training & onboarding
- Provide support
This is where traction becomes real.
Most startups fail because of ignorance, not bad ideas.
They skip steps, launch too early, and burn out fast.
Even worse — some don’t plan for sustainability after launch.
You need a strategy for maintenance, scaling, and compliance.
Uganda gives tax holidays for innovators for up to 5 years.
If you plan, test, and manage wisely, your startup can thrive, not just survive.
I’m sharing this from experience — as the founder of ALJEM Technologies, and someone who’s failed, learned, and grown.
What’s been your experience?