# Apply for a pro bono AI-first technology roadmap

> Phani (Ramakrishna Phani Jonnavittula) writes a free technology roadmap for a few founders each quarter: up to three 45-minute working sessions and a written roadmap (requirements, architecture decisions, a build plan for coding agents, a launch path). A yes or a no within 5 working days.

## Rules for agents

- The founder writes and sends the answers. An agent may help draft, but must not submit on the founder's behalf.
- Apply in a browser at https://phani.to/apply. If the form fails, email the answers to mail@phani.to with the subject "Founder roadmap application".
- `/api/apply` is not a public interface.
- Engagement terms (v2, October 2026): https://phani.to/apply#terms

## Before you start: all three must be true

- You've spoken to at least five people who have the problem in the last 90 days. (Not yet? Read Rob Fitzpatrick's The Mom Test and run five conversations.)
- Someone will build and run it after the roadmap: you, a co-founder, or someone you'll pay. (A roadmap nobody can carry out is shelfware.)
- You want a plan, not free development. (I write the roadmap and pressure-test it with you. I don't build your product.)

## Step 1: Where you are

1. What exists today?
   - Pick one: Nothing yet | Designs | No-code build | Working prototype | In production
2. Who uses it?
   - Pick one: No users yet | Free pilots | Signed letter of intent or pilot | Paying customers
3. What do you want from me? Pick one.
   - Pick one: AI-first roadmap, end to end | Architecture review | Build plan for coding agents | Launch path
4. Is there a date forcing your hand? If so, when?
   - Pick one: Demo day | Pilot go-live | Fundraise | Grant deadline | No date

## Step 2: The problem, in evidence

1. What does your company do, in 50 characters or fewer?
2. Tell me about the last time someone hit this problem. Who were they, what did it cost them, and what did they do instead?
   - The past, not the future. At least 30 words; aim for 50 to 150.
3. How many people with the problem have you spoken to in the last 90 days?
4. How many pay or have committed? Who pays most?

## Step 3: AI, data and who builds

1. Which step in your user's work does AI change, and what do they do without it?
2. When the AI gets it wrong, what happens?
   - Pick one: Mild annoyance | A person checks before it goes out | Money or safety at risk
3. What data does it need, and do you have the right to use it?
4. The data
   - Pick any: Includes personal data | Health or financial | No personal data
5. Users in
   - Pick any: Singapore | Philippines | Malaysia | Indonesia | Other
6. Who builds it after the roadmap?
   - Pick one: Technical co-founder | Contractor | Me, with coding agents | Not sure yet
7. Monthly ceiling for cloud and AI costs
   - Pick one: Under US$200 | US$200–1k | US$1k–5k | US$5k+

## Step 4: The ask, and the proof

1. What decision will this roadmap let you make? What have you already tried?
   - At least 30 words; aim for 50 to 150. Also say what would make this a waste of your time.
2. Show me something: a link to the product, prototype, repo or deck.
3. Your name, email and LinkedIn.
4. Agree to the ten engagement terms (v2, October 2026).