Everyone has competitors—whether they’re manual processes, existing AI solutions, or legacy systems. The key is understanding the landscape and carving out your unique advantage. This template will help you analyze competitors, identify market gaps, and sharpen your differentiation strategy.
Use this framework to clearly define how your startup stands out and why customers should choose you. Additionally, ensure that you are aligning with what the market actually wants and values, not just what you think sets you apart.
Map out how your product compares to competitors and how each company meets market demands.
For Example…
| Feature | Market Demand Level (High/Med/Low) | Your Startup | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature 1 | High | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Feature 2 | Medium | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Feature 3 | High | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Feature 4 | Low | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Pricing Model | High | Subscription | One-time fee | Freemium | Enterprise-only |
| Feature | Market Demand Level (High/Med/Low) | Your Startup Name | Competitor A Name | Competitor B Name | Competitor C Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feature 1 | |||||
| Feature 2 | |||||
| Feature 3 | |||||
| Feature 4 | |||||
| Pricing Model |
Where do you stand in the market, and how does your startup align with what customers value?
For Example…
| Positioning Factor | Market Expectation | Your Startup | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Focus | Niche/Vertical | Niche/Vertical | Mass Market | Enterprise | Hybrid |
| Target Customer | SMBs & Startups | SMBs & Startups | Large Corporations | Developers | B2C Consumers |
| Tech Stack | AI-driven | AI-driven | Manual Process | Basic Automation | Legacy System |
| Unique Selling Proposition (USP) | Cost-efficient automation | AI-powered automation | Human-managed service | Low-cost solution | Highly specialized |
| Positioning Factor | Market Expectation | Your Startup | Competitor A | Competitor B | Competitor C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Focus | |||||
| Target Customer | |||||
| Tech Stack | |||||
| Unique Selling Proposition (USP) |
What is the market looking for, and where are competitors failing to meet demand?