Question 1: Can AI Replicate This In Six Months?

What You’re Really Asking

This question probes the defensibility half-life of the core product. It forces an honest assessment of what actually creates value—and whether that value source can survive the AI compression wave that has already commoditized most feature-based differentiation.

How to Evaluate

Examine the core product functionality with ruthless honesty:

• Describe the product’s primary value proposition in one paragraph—if you can describe it clearly, AI can build it
• Identify what a well-funded competitor would need to replicate 80% of functionality
• If the answer is “a good prompt engineer and six months,” you have your answer
• Ask whether customers could build this themselves using AI coding assistants like Cursor, Claude, or GitHub Copilot

Ceiling Indicators

The value resists AI replication when it comes from:

• Deep integration into customer operations—not features, but embedding where the product is woven into workflows, connected to multiple systems, and has become load-bearing infrastructure
• Proprietary data assets—data that cannot be replicated because it was generated through years of customer usage, unique data collection mechanisms, or exclusive partnerships
• Complex multi-stakeholder workflows—processes involving multiple departments, approval chains, and organizational knowledge that are difficult to automate
• Regulatory or compliance embedding—certifications, audit trails, and compliance frameworks that take years to build and validate

Floor Indicators

The value can be replicated when:

• The product is primarily a user interface layer over standard APIs or databases
• Core functionality aligns with well-known software patterns (project management, note-taking, basic CRM, simple analytics)
• The product solves a well-defined, bounded problem without requiring deep organizational context
• Competitors have already replicated similar functionality

The Verdict

YES → Floor only. The company must compete on viral growth, zero CAC, and massive scale.

NO → Ceiling possible. Proceed to the remaining questions to confirm structural potential.

This is part of a comprehensive analysis. Read the full analysis on The Business Engineer.