Backlog

What it does

Backlog is a public repository where people can post real, specific problems they face in their work. The platform aims to surface hidden pain points that often go unnoticed, allowing others to upvote, add context, and validate the issue. Builders can then browse these verified problems to find market needs worth solving.

Who it is for

Backlog serves two main groups: "people who hurt" — professionals who experience recurring pain points in their daily work and want to share them without needing to propose a solution; and "builders" — entrepreneurs, developers, and product teams looking for validated, real-world problems to solve. The platform is designed for anyone who wants to move from guessing to building based on actual demand.

Why it matters

Many great solutions chase non-existent problems, while meaningful pain points remain hidden in spreadsheets, WhatsApp chats, and manual workflows. Backlog gives these problems a home, making it easier for builders to discover what truly needs fixing. By aggregating and verifying problems, it reduces the risk of building something nobody wants and helps direct innovation toward genuine needs.

Launch signal

Backlog was launched as a Show HN on Hacker News, indicating an early-stage, community-driven project. The website is live but currently shows no posted problems yet, suggesting it is in its initial launch phase. The platform invites users to be the first to add a problem, and builders can browse public titles but need to log in for full details.

Brand and naming

The name "Backlog" cleverly references both a list of pending tasks and the concept of a repository of unsolved problems. It is short, memorable, and directly tied to the product's purpose. The tagline "The world's backlog" positions it as a global, crowdsourced collection, emphasizing scale and community.