Ask HN: How do you approach potential B2B customers for early stage research

Hey HN,

I've got this idea for a web app from a service provider I recently used. He told me all about his business problems (problems that can be solved with a web app) once I told him I was in the web space. We both got really excited about the possibility of a product.

Now I feel I need to validate this idea with other business managers. I've have no contacts in this industry, nor do I know too much about it.

How do I approach business owners/managers to gain research without annoying/intimidating/frustrating them.

How do you do it?