Pick a Real, Painful Business Problem

The Databricks top three solved grocery lists (HEB), stock screening (Yahoo) and content recommendation (ITV) — real problems inside real companies. Gitdefender tackles security in code review; Hearsay monitors regulators across 67 jurisdictions. Concrete pain beats abstract world-saving.

Judging rubrics say it openly: 'applicability' and 'business value' are scored categories at lablab.ai, and winner ChattyRental even quantified its value — an average 36% cut in sales-department costs.

Takeaway: before building, ask whether you can name the job title of the person who has this pain. If you can't, the problem is too abstract. Interview one such person for 15 minutes, then open your demo by reproducing their pain in 30 seconds.