# Research Documentation Index **Last Updated:** November 2, 2025 **Purpose:** Navigation hub for all Banatie research materials **Status:** 📝 Living document --- ## 📋 Overview This folder contains all passive research conducted to validate ICP hypotheses for Banatie.app. The research follows a structured methodology of exploring multiple directions, documenting findings with verifiable sources, and synthesizing insights into actionable strategic decisions. **Research Structure:** Flat folder with descriptive filenames (no nested folders) **Output Format:** Markdown files with strong signals, evidence links, and strategic analysis **Current Phase:** Phase 1 completed (Directions 0, 1, 2, 6) → Interview preparation active --- ## 🛠️ Methodology **[passive-research-methodology.md](passive-research-methodology.md)** - Complete research guide (battle-tested) **Purpose:** Reusable framework for conducting passive research before customer interviews **Key Principles:** - Observe real pain (Reddit/forums) before asking filtered questions - Multiple search variations per topic (3-5) to avoid false negatives - Document findings continuously with verifiable links - Collaborative decision-making (Oleg + @men) **When to use:** Before any new ICP validation or market exploration --- ## 📊 Research Direction Trackers ### [banatie-research-directions-tracker.md](banatie-research-directions-tracker.md) **Main research planning document - Directions 0-10** **Structure:** Each direction includes: - Hypothesis to validate - Key questions to answer - Specific search topics (5-7 per direction) - Findings section (filled during research) **Directions Mapped:** - ✅ Direction 0: Initial Exploration (COMPLETED) - 📋 Direction 1: Prompt URLs + No-Code Generation - ✅ Direction 2: AI Agent Ecosystem (COMPLETED - ⭐ STRONGEST) - ⏳ Direction 3: Marketing Agencies Pain - ⏳ Direction 4: E-commerce Product Variations - ⏳ Direction 5: Technical Writers + Documentation - ✅ Direction 6: Gemini 2.5 Flash Specific Demand (COMPLETED) - ⏳ Direction 7: Indie Hackers + Side Projects - ⏳ Direction 8: No-Code Builders (Webflow, Framer) - ⏳ Direction 9: Content Creators + YouTubers - ⏳ Direction 10: SaaS Founders (Marketing Pages) ### [banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md](banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md) **Extended research directions - Directions 11-12** **Deep-dive directions discovered from Direction 6 findings:** - ⏳ Direction 11: E-commerce Product Photography (n8n workflows, $50B market) - ⏳ Direction 12: NoCode Automation Builders (n8n, Make, Zapier users) **Status:** Parking lot (ICP mismatch with no-code preference, long sales cycle) --- ## 🔬 Completed Research (Strong Signals) ### [direction-1-strong-signals.md](direction-1-strong-signals.md) **Research:** Agencies + Placeholder Hell **Status:** ✅ COMPLETED - Strong signals found **Confidence:** Medium (60-70%) **Key Findings:** - "Placeholder hell" validated (projects stall waiting for client content) - Client approval blocked without realistic demo images - Agencies struggle with generic stock photos for pitches - Pain is real but ICP mismatch (agencies ≠ validated AI developer audience) **Strategic Decision:** Secondary market, revisit if primary ICP fails --- ### [direction-2-strong-signals.md](direction-2-strong-signals.md) **Research:** AI Coding Agents (Early Phase) **Status:** ⚠️ PARTIAL - Superseded by part2 **Note:** This file contains initial findings. For complete research, see direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md below. --- ### [direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md](direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md) ⭐ PRIMARY **Research:** AI Coding Agents + Image Generation (COMPLETE) **Status:** ✅ STRONGEST VALIDATION **Confidence:** Very High (70-80%) **Key Findings:** 1. ✅ Massive user base (36K+ r/cursor members building real projects) 2. ✅ Stock photos pain validated (generic, overused, unprofessional) 3. ✅ Willingness to pay confirmed ($20-200/mo for AI tools) 4. ✅ Manual Midjourney workflow = tedious 5. ✅ Aspect ratio limitations = real pain 6. ✅ Image optimization = time-consuming 7. ✅ Paid MCP business model validated ($5-20/mo for point tools) **ICP Match:** 70-80% confidence - Founder IS the ICP (uses Claude Code daily) - Technical fit = perfect (MCP + SDK) - Market size = huge - Fast path to revenue **Strategic Decision:** ✅ PRIMARY ICP - Proceed to customer interviews --- ### [direction-6-strong-signals.md](direction-6-strong-signals.md) **Research:** Gemini 2.5 Flash Specific Demand + E-commerce/NoCode **Status:** ✅ COMPLETED - Mixed signals **Confidence:** Low for ICP match (30-40%) **Key Findings:** - ✅ Huge market ($50B product photography) - ✅ Clear use case (1 photo → 100 variations) - ✅ n8n + Nano Banana workflows actively used in production - ⚠️ Free tier preference (16K-31K images/month FREE) - ⚠️ No-code preference (not our validated technical ICP) - ⚠️ Long sales cycle for e-commerce (B2B) **Strategic Decision:** Parking lot - Directions 11-12 created for future exploration if needed --- ## 🎯 Strategic Analysis ### Key Insights Across All Research **Market Validation:** - Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) = ⭐ 70-80% confidence, strongest signals - Direction 1 (Agencies) = 60-70% confidence, ICP mismatch concern - Direction 6 (E-commerce/NoCode) = 30-40% confidence, pivot required **ICP Segmentation (from Direction 2):** - **Segment A:** Studios/Agencies (3-10 people, CEO decision, higher ACV) - **Segment B:** Power Users ⭐ PRIMARY (Tech leads with Cursor/Claude Code) - **Segment C:** Freelancers (Solo, price-sensitive, fast decision) - **Segment D:** AI-savvy Freelancers ⭐ SECONDARY (High volume, time=money) **Technical Product:** SAME for all segments **GTM Strategy:** DIFFERS by segment (messaging, pricing emphasis, channels) **Confidence Ranking:** 1. 🥇 Direction 2 (AI Coding Agents) - 70-80% - GO for interviews 2. 🥈 Direction 1 (Agencies) - 60-70% - Secondary exploration 3. 🥉 Direction 6 (E-commerce) - 30-40% - Parking lot --- ## 📈 Research Outcomes & Next Steps **Phase 1 Completed (Oct 31 - Nov 2, 2025):** - ✅ 3 directions researched with strong signals - ✅ 10 directions mapped, 2 extensions scoped - ✅ Reusable methodology documented - ✅ ICP refined to A/B/C/D segments - ✅ Primary market validated (AI Coding Agents) **Next Phase: External Validation (Nov 4-10, 2025):** - 10-14 customer interviews across A/B/C/D segments - Validate willingness to pay ($20-50/mo) - Identify KILLER USE CASE (60%+ mention same pain) - Decision Gate 1: GO / PIVOT / STOP **Success Criteria for GO:** - 60%+ say "I would use this" (6+ out of 10) - 40%+ willing to pay $20+ (4+ out of 10) - 30%+ want early access (3+ out of 10) - ONE specific pain mentioned by 60%+ --- ## 🔄 Research Workflow (Quick Reference) **For new research sessions:** 1. **Load Context:** - Read: ROADMAP.md, INDEX.md, 12-the-current-tech-state.md - Read: Research trackers (main + extensions) - Review: Completed research files 2. **Plan Searches:** - Choose direction from tracker - Propose 5-7 specific search queries - Discuss → Adjust → Execute 3. **Execute Iteratively:** - Run search → Scan → Share findings immediately - Multiple variations per topic (3-5) - Adjust strategy based on results 4. **Document Continuously:** - Create `direction-N-strong-signals.md` - Format: 🟢 STRONG / 🟡 MEDIUM / 🔴 WEAK signals - Include: URL, exact quote, context, interpretation 5. **Decide & Wrap:** - Summarize findings after 5-7 searches - Decide: Keep searching / Move on / Pivot - Update tracker with findings --- ## 📝 File Inventory **Total Files:** 7 (excluding this INDEX.md) **Planning Documents (2):** - banatie-research-directions-tracker.md (Directions 0-10) - banatie-research-directions-tracker-extension1.md (Directions 11-12) **Methodology (1):** - passive-research-methodology.md (Reusable framework) **Completed Research (4):** - direction-1-strong-signals.md (Agencies + Placeholder Hell) - direction-2-strong-signals.md (AI Agents - Partial) - direction-2-strong-signals-part2.md (AI Agents - Complete) ⭐ - direction-6-strong-signals.md (Gemini/E-commerce/NoCode) **Future Research:** - Directions 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 mapped but not yet researched - Directions 11, 12 scoped for future exploration if needed --- ## 🔗 Related Documentation **For strategic context:** - [Main INDEX.md](../INDEX.md) - Complete project documentation map - [ROADMAP.md](../ROADMAP.md) - Current priorities and active sprint - [FRAMEWORK.md](../FRAMEWORK.md) - Discussion and documentation best practices **For ICP decisions:** - [07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md](../strategy/07-validated-icp-ai-developers.md) - Primary ICP hypothesis - [02-reality-check.md](../strategy/02-reality-check.md) - Founder constraints **For execution:** - [08-validation-plan.md](../execution/08-validation-plan.md) - Interview sprint plan - [03-icp-research-questions.md](../execution/03-icp-research-questions.md) - Interview script --- **Document Owner:** @men + Oleg **Version:** 1.0 **Next Review:** After external validation complete (Nov 10, 2025) **Maintenance:** Update when new research completed or insights synthesized