# Idea

URL: /business/lifecycle/states/idea · Id: `state:idea`

> Idea is the state of a Startup that states its Idea and who pays, before any build work starts.

Idea is the state of a [Startup](/business/nouns/startup) that states its [Idea](/business/nouns/idea) and who pays, before any build work starts. Its number counts conversations with outside buyers about the problem's past cost: see [research and define](/workflows/lifecycle/research-and-define).

## Entry checks
| Check | Id | Kind | Passes when |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Idea stated | `idea-stated` | `registry` | The Idea has a one-line statement. |
| Payer named | `idea-payer` | `registry` | The Idea names who pays and the work they pay to have done. |

## One metric that matters
[Problem interviews](/agents/founding#problem-interviews): Problem interviews counts Interviews held about the Problem with distinct outside ICP members in the window.

## Builders at work
- [StartupBuilder](/code/builders/startup)

## Roles on duty
| Role | Team |
| --- | --- |
| [Founder](/agents/founding/founder) | [Founding Team](/agents/founding) |
| [Strategist](/agents/founding/strategist) | [Founding Team](/agents/founding) |
| [Product Lead](/agents/product/product-lead) | [Product Team](/agents/product) |
| [Designer](/agents/product/designer) | [Product Team](/agents/product) |
| [Researcher](/agents/product/researcher) | [Product Team](/agents/product) |
| [Legal Lead](/agents/legal/legal-lead) | [Legal Team](/agents/legal) |
| [Compliance Officer](/agents/legal/compliance-officer) | [Legal Team](/agents/legal) |
| [Privacy Officer](/agents/legal/privacy-officer) | [Legal Team](/agents/legal) |
| [Contracts Manager](/agents/legal/contracts-manager) | [Legal Team](/agents/legal) |

## Workflows that wake
None.

## At the next state
- [Building](/business/lifecycle/states/building): 5 entry checks.