Member-only story
From questions to clarity: How UX research drives startup success
In this article, two UX research leaders, Meltem Naz Kaso and Amanda Gelb, share how startups can prioritize UX research, transitioning from fast, transactional methods to relational research that drives innovation and long-term success.
Why do startups often deprioritize UX research?
“How fast can we get feedback on this feature?” The founder’s initial question was pragmatic and familiar — focused on speed, progress, and quick wins. Like many startup founders, he was in constant motion, juggling late nights and relentless priorities like working towards the next raise, managing all senior team members, and delivering investor updates. Research felt like a luxury he couldn’t afford — a slow detour on the highway of building fast and breaking things.
But as Amanda began asking questions about his users’ workflows, challenges, and unmet needs, a shift started to happen. He began to see his product not just as a set of features but as a tool that could seamlessly enhance and complement the established workflows of clerks and judges.
