The Light Seeker Matrix
A framework for mapping organizational sensing systems to different resource types, enabling detection of the strongest growth opportunities.
A framework for mapping organizational sensing systems to different resource types, enabling detection of the strongest growth opportunities. Just as plants bend toward light using photoreceptors, organizations need multiple sensing systems because different opportunities emit different signals.
When to Use The Light Seeker Matrix
Use when facing multiple potential growth directions and needing to prioritize - this matrix helps you sense which opportunities have the strongest 'light' (customer, technology, geographic, business model gradients) to grow toward.
How to Apply
Customer Gradient Sensing
Measure cohort retention curves, NRR by vertical, feature adoption rates, support ticket concentration, and organic word-of-mouth sources.
Questions to Ask
- Which segments have >120% NRR?
- Where is churn <10%?
- What's our viral coefficient by segment?
Outputs
- Ranked customer segments by gradient strength
- High/Medium/Low gradient classification
Technology Gradient Sensing
Track adoption curves in adjacent markets, GitHub stars, npm downloads, academic citations, VC investment concentration, developer community growth, and open source velocity.
Questions to Ask
- Which technologies show 100%+ YoY growth?
- Where is enterprise spending being committed?
- What has mainstream developer adoption?
Outputs
- Technology gradient rankings
- R&D allocation recommendations
Geographic Gradient Sensing
Analyze GDP growth + internet penetration + payment infrastructure + regulatory openness. Compare competitor market share, CAC by country, and localization requirements.
Questions to Ask
- Which markets have 5%+ GDP growth with <50% penetration?
- Where is CAC <$100?
- What localization is required?
Outputs
- Geographic priority rankings
- Market entry recommendations
Business Model Gradient Sensing
Examine revenue per employee trends, gross margin evolution by model type, capital efficiency ratios, and time-to-payback on customer acquisition.
Questions to Ask
- Which models have 40%+ gross margins?
- Where is payback <12 months?
- What's the capital efficiency (>2.5×)?
Outputs
- Business model gradient scores
- Product mix recommendations