Founder: kill/continue after Track-1 number

[myselfsiddharth]

Context

Two consecutive vertical FAILs (Week-0 + Track-2). Track-1 number decides if there is a company.

Acceptance

• Read gate-result memo
• If Track-1 FAIL → stop thesis (document decision + ADR)
• If Track-1 PASS → within 3 business days choose:
  • (a) reframe as infrastructure for existing intermediaries (QAuto/RCM/TMS), or
  • (b) shut vertical search / research-only
• Decision recorded as ADR

Explicit non-goals

• Re-running same-shape six-surface counterparty census
• Design-partner portal pilots this cycle
• Treating HP-10 / FC-04 as anchors

Refs

• docs/research/vertical-search/DECISION.md
• docs/decisions/ADR-0004-vertical-track2-fail.md