One Chart Opportunity Framework

A framework for identifying business opportunities by finding exponentially growing trends and building solutions around them. Based on Brett Adcock's experience with school security systems.

How to Identify One Chart Opportunities

• Look for metrics/data showing exponential growth in a specific area
• Focus on charts that demonstrate clear upward trajectory over time
• Example: School shooting incidents showing 5x spike since 2018
• Look for problems that are getting dramatically worse over time

Key Elements of the Framework

• Market Size & Growth

  • Track metrics showing rapid acceleration
  • Look for 5-10x growth over short periods
  • Focus on problems affecting large populations
  • Identify if trend likely to continue growing

• Problem Validation

  • Research underlying causes driving the trend
  • Understand if problem is systematic vs temporary
  • Validate if technological solution is feasible
  • Example: Several hundred thousand guns brought to schools annually

• Solution Development

  • Research existing solutions and technologies
  • Look for novel approaches to solve the problem
  • Consider both immediate and long-term applications
  • Build solution that can scale with growing problem

Execution Strategy

• Start with most severe use case first

  • Example: Schools have urgent need but limited budgets
  • Use as proving ground for technology

• Expand to broader commercial applications

  • Look for adjacent markets with bigger budgets
  • Example: Stadiums, churches, hospitals
  • Scale solution across multiple verticals

• Think long-term about societal changes

  • Consider how trends might evolve over decades
  • Example: As human longevity increases, safety becomes higher priority
  • Build solutions that align with future needs

The key is identifying exponential trends early and building solutions before the problem becomes widely recognized.