A stage gate is not a status meeting. It is a pass or fail test on evidence, run before more money is committed to the next phase.
Leaving 0→1 means an ICP with repeat qualified demand, a documented willingness to pay at a stated price metric, a cleared path to purchase order or checkout, and first collected revenue or a signed pilot with a payment date.
Leaving 1→2 means wins from more than one source and more than one seller, cycle time and win rate measured across a cohort, positive contribution margin, and a functioning support and renewal motion.
The value of writing gates down is that a failed gate becomes a decision rather than a drift. Fix the gap, re-run the gate, or stop - all three are better outcomes than quietly funding another quarter of activity.