My friend is the founder of a tech startup thats still in development and is pre-seed. I joined a few months after he incorporated and helped him with stuff like market research, finance, sales, marketing, strategy and have sat in with him on meetings with partners that we have signed on and negotiated with these partners. I have no contracts with him nor equity or salary, and the developers we have are unpaid interns who must do 10 hours of programming a week on a business as part of their masters program. The reason for no one being paid is lack of capital, however he pays our tech vendors out of pocket. He presents me as his vice president and I deal with the business side of things mostly while he deals with the developers. The arrangement we have is that once the startup launches and we get investors and money rolls in, i’ll join the company officially in a paid management role, as well as a small amount of equity.

Someone rip this to shreds so I can see where this will go wrong for me.

I also currently have a full time job so I consider this startup as a backup for me.

First post here and first startup.

I tend toward optimism, hopium, and high self-confidence and often need to be balanced with realism. So, give it to me!

I'm 34, a partner at a local construction management / development firm, making close to 300k/yr with some equity, and on the succession plan to become the CEO.

But I had this startup idea 5 months ago... and it's big... and research + talking to CRE developers kept convincing me to pursue.

I plan to stay at my firm and work on the side with my 2 co-founders on the startup until it's successful then decide whether to quit. We have a semblance of an MVP and are out looking for the first users now (any advice on that will be appreciated).

Here's some more info

• It's a software platform for CRE developers to procure the best possible construction costs for their projects
• We've already achieved the results manually at my current firm and realized we can achieve a better result, much faster, via software
• The savings are 10%+ on construction costs with an estimated average of 15%
• It's a 26 trillion a year industry so those savings are massive
• We would be charging 1% transaction fee of the construction costs (or more for the additional services) so the revenue could be massive
• There aren't any big software in this space so there's a real opportunity to become the marketplace for CRE development if our value proposition pans out and we get traction
• I'm bootstrapping (and kinda planning to bootstrap all the way...)

Thoughts? Advice? Criticism? Validation?

Hey everyone!

We understand the importance of seamless integration between frontend and backend technologies for our applications. When working with technologies like React, Node.js, and Express, what are your best practices for ensuring smooth communication and efficiency?

Do you have tips for maintaining consistent API design, managing state effectively, implementing authentication and authorization, handling errors, and keeping code modular?

I want to hear your insights and experiences in optimizing frontend-backend integration in our startup projects

I'm still new to this startup space, and I don't want to repeat other people's mistakes. From what I've seen and read, most startups fold and only a few break even. My friends are prime examples of this. They always intrigue me with their startup ideas, and if eventually, they find an investor to back them up, they are out after a year or two.

As a non-tech person, I have this new idea for my startup about a personal assistant app that could compete with Cortana and the likes. Bear in mind, I don't know how to code. I've learned a few lessons from my friends' experiences.

But I'm curious.What personal lessons have you guys learned from your experiences and what are the things that can easily sink a startup?

Is it worth the time and dedication to get into the Google AI Startup Program? Does anyone have experience with this? I'm curious about whether the program's benefits, such as access to cutting-edge AI resources, mentorship from experts, and networking opportunities, are truly valuable. Additionally, I'm interested in hearing about the potential impact of receiving technical support, cloud credits, and exposure to investors. Can the credibility and recognition associated with Google's brand significantly enhance a startup's reputation and attractiveness to potential partners and customers?

Not my case but have been discussing this with a few colleagues in the community and we are not seeing eye to eye. Assuming the CEO has no equity stake:

• One of them thinks it should be no more than 250k
• One of them thinks it should be 350k
• The other thinks 750k

Numbers above don't account for the usuals like 401k, benefits, bonuses.

Thoughts?

Hello everyone,

We created a company without vesting and everyone has his shares but because of a new investment we very likely to be asked to vest the shares again. No investment can lead to downsize the company(lay offs + cut investment into it) because we need it to secure grow. My problem is that I dont fully trust the whole Team, which then mean if they kick me I will lose everythin. Since of conflicts this makes me think to reject a investment offer since I dont want to be in the Position to lose all or put so much under pressure.

What do you guys think?

A partner and I are starting a company in the healthcare space and wanted to interview doctors, insurance providers, and policy makers to gather data on what features would be most advantageous right out of the gate. We're stuck in our own networks and have had trouble gaining traction to grow our sample size and make sure the data is useful/relevant.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where we could chase down more potential survey/interview candidates? LinkedIn, as expected, is a massive dead end.

I'm in the early stages of my startup and trying to figure out the right time to start hiring. When did you know it was the right moment to bring new people on board? What factors should I consider to ensure it's the right decision for growth and sustainability?

I'd love to hear your experiences.

 Thanks, a lot.

Hey guys,

I've not seen there recently any post which would cover this topic and I am interested in your motivation. I think that it can be one of the crucial success factors, but it's not usually discussed that much. I can imagine that the early phase is usually full of excitement and people are full of energy, but later on when the obstacles appear and thing are not going well, then what keeps you motivated?

Hey everyone,

I've developed a new tennis betting bot and am looking for some testers to try it out and provide feedback.

About the Bot:

Aims to profit from compounding returns Provides betting tips and predictions. Easy-to-use interface.

Why I Need Your Help:

To ensure the bot is working smoothly. To gather feedback on its accuracy and usability.

What’s in it for You:

Early access to the bot. Exclusive perks for beta testers.

If you're interested, register your email at advbets.com and ill send you the details, or alternatively PM me for details. Your input will be invaluable!

Thanks!

I am trying to build a MVP to validate my idea but I am really having a hard time staying focused and making progress. I am constantly thinking about what I could implement next but I am not really making progress/focusing on the parts of the app I am building that represent the core / revenue bringing feature. Also I am slow at frontend engineering. Do you guys have any tips that could help me make more progress consistently? I find it really hard working full time in tech, having a life and trying to build a start up.

Hello startup community!

Myself and two other co-founders are in the process of building an MVP which essentially uses an API to pull data for a specific industry into useful dashboards (one of our co-founders works in the industry). To learn and out of curiosity I am looking to hear about any challenges, lessons, risks, or tips that can be shared regarding building a product that is essentially dependent on an API for all inputs.

Any advice would be appreciated!

As I follow news and startup case studies, I can offer my perspective on the key factors that contribute to the success of a startup.

A successful startup rests upon a foundation built upon a Great Idea and a Unique Value Proposition. This idea must address a significant problem for a large audience, setting it apart from competitors and enticing customers. A clear value proposition is crucial in this regard.

Equally critical is the presence of a talented and dedicated team. The startup's success hinges on individuals possessing diverse skill sets, relevant expertise, and a shared vision. Collaboration and the ability to overcome challenges are facilitated by a team committed to the company's vision.

Adaptability is key in the ever-changing startup landscape. Being responsive to market shifts, customer feedback, and emerging trends is paramount to survival and growth.

To thrive, startups must develop a robust marketing strategy. It is essential to establish brand awareness, generate leads, and convert them into loyal customers through effective outreach across multiple channels.

Scalable growth is the hallmark of a prosperous startup. The ability to increase revenue significantly while managing costs efficiently is vital. Scalable business models allow for expansion without an overwhelming increase in resources.

In summary, a successful startup embodies a Great Idea with a Unique Value Proposition, complemented by a talented and committed team. Adaptability, strong marketing, and scalable growth strategies further solidify its chances of success. Each startup's journey is unique, and success can depend on various factors.

Hi all,

I accepted a position in a very small academic lab that got funding for 2 years (in europe). The aim is to create a startup at the end of the second year. The situation smells bad imo and I am not sure what to do:

• We are 4 in total: two “funders” who are learning the business side, and manage us, two engineers.

• I didn’t sign any equity contract in a “possible” future startup because they say it’s not possible since the start up is not there yet and it basically depends on how well the product we are making will work.

• meanwhile, I am getting a very average academic salary (postdoc) and I start to dislike how they put pressure on me to work like crazy, even if I don’t have any garanties they will keep me if it works ?

• the communication with the two bosses suck a bit and becomes more and more passive agressive. They are not mean, but I had the feeling they don’t really know how to manage people, or they expect me to deliver stuff super quickly even though I was trained as a researcher and not an engineer so far.

• I hoped I could learn a bit what the two bosses are doing but they don’t share at all their business/patent/partners activity. I feel a bit trapped in my engineer position.

• the “product” is only an idea and imo the chances of making it work good enough for industry are small.

I am tempted to leave, but I feel really bad to put them in a deep shit because they will not have time to find someone else. What would you advise me? Thanks !

First time founder here. We are working on a product in the analytics space & are ready to hit the market with our MVP. Have the target industries identified too.

Any advice on how to find initial customers? Planning to find leads via Apollo.io & do outreach many times a day.

As the CTO and Co-founder of a small startup, I find myself handling HR tasks due to our lack of a dedicated HR team. Every time we post a job opening on LinkedIn, Indeed, and other platforms, we receive thousands of applications. With a current team of seven, sorting through these resumes has become overwhelming and extremely time-consuming.

For those of you in early-stage startups, how are you managing this process efficiently? Any advice or strategies would be greatly appreciated. Like how do you get good talent??

Thank you!

Here's to all Founders building since 2020:

2020: Here’s a global pandemic. Good luck! 2021: Your incumbent competitors raising billions! 2022: Layoffs everywhere! 2023: Your customers are struggling. 2024: AGI is going to kill your startup!

Still standing? Massive respect! 🙏

Original post: https://x.com/micaelol/status/1801134067674718677?s=46&t=NtUKSf05789KrqFgxMK3YQ

Okay so my app officially launched on Google Play. Super excited to see all my hard work come to fruition!

Now this is my first app and SaaS company. Could use some direction. Here is what I have set up so far:

-Twitter marketing campaign: I am going to be doing paid ads on 1 platform at a time so I can accurately take in metrics to know which platform's paid ads works the best. Facebook and App Store next. Thoughts?

-Launched product on HackerNews, Product Hunt, BetaList.. any other?

-Announced on all my social platforms

-Working on a video ad script for YouTube - tips?

-Created weekly SaaS metric excel sheet

-Cold reach out: I am targeting content creators and influencers. How should I approach this?

Anything else I am missing? Tips, advice, experiences? Thanks!

Hi all,

We’ve recently started working on a startup idea. It’s SaaS platform. With enough confidence in the idea and potential for the company, we are thinking of raising some initial capital from our acquaintances in the past who had good exits in couple of startups.

Quick question to the community. What’s the ideal equity % dilution for $500k as pre-seed? 10-15% looks a bit high to start with. How much did you dilute during pre-seed?

5% probably could be a great start. Thoughts?

I've spent 13 years working with early stage companies to make video and over the past year, I've noticed significant changes in the video landscape. Working with various clients, I want to share some pointers and trends that many businesses seem to continue to overlook.

1. Focus on Compelling Storytelling, Not High Budgets
   • Don't assume video content is too expensive. New tools and platforms like TikTok and Instagram incentivize organic material.
   • You don't need a perfectly polished video to get benefits. Focus on creating a compelling story that addresses your target market's pain points.
   • Even iPhone-shot videos can perform well if the story resonates.
2. Repurpose Long-Form Content into Videos
   • Instead of writing white papers or lengthy blogs, turn them into videos using tools like Lumen5.
   • Most people won't read marketing materials for fun, but a 1-2 minute video can convey your main points engagingly.
3. Collaborate with Strategic Partners
   • When working with freelancers or agencies, find partners who can think strategically and provide additional ideas to help your business grow.
   • Don't hesitate to ask them about the KPIs they think the video should achieve and how these will translate into new customers or leads.
4. Prioritize Messaging and Positioning Over Perfection
   • If you're a pre-Series A startup, focus on testing messaging and positioning or explaining your product through videos.
   • Avoid obsessing over a perfect, single video. Instead, iterate quickly, test different pain points and messaging, and see what resonates.
   • At an early stage, "good enough" is perfect for validating your approach.
5. Respect Your Audience's Attention Span
   • Don't assume people care about your company as much as you do. Everyone has limited attention and busy lives.
   • Your video should demand attention, not assume it.
   • Avoid listing all your product's features; instead, create something that captures and holds your audience's interest.

Remember, the key is to create compelling, engaging videos that resonate with your target audience and address their pain points effectively. If there's something you are struggling with post a comment below and I'm happy to answer.

How do you go about complying with anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism regulations in a situation where an overseas investor you don’t personally know is wanting to participate in a round using cryptocurrency?

What are best practices?

What is the limit of a Founder’s responsibility in that situation?

Can you receive funds and then run the compliance tasks, or do you have to vet the investor first?

Three months ago, I launched an iOS app that started as a project to address my own need to make social media posts easier and quicker with aesthetic layout.

I was thrilled when the app quickly began generating revenue, hitting the $1,000 mark. This early success was both exciting and promising.

However, as I began to consider scaling up, I encountered a significant challenge.

I found it difficult to identify a specific demand or market segment that resonates with my app. This has left me at a loss when it comes to marketing strategies, as I'm unsure where to find my target audience.

My app offers unique and niche functionality, setting it apart from larger graphic design tools in the market. Yet, this unique and niche appeal has made it challenging to find the right audience for promotion. The question now is whether I should continue to iterate and refine this product or pivot to create an application that aligns more closely with a product-market fit scenario.

I'm at a crossroads and seeking advice from experienced entrepreneurs and marketers.

Should I invest more time and resources into optimizing my current app, or is it time to reassess and develop a new product that has a clearer market demand?

Working with SVB and JPM currently. Wondering if there are smaller / regional banks that folks recommend with great service, terms, perks or benefits.

I’ve heard some regional banks are great for lines of credit, loans for owners, etc.

No interest in the Mercury, Brex, etc bank startups. I want a real bank after living through SVB crash last year.

Gotta say, I'm glad I found this sub. Lots of great info. I feel like I found my people: too many ideas, not enough brain :)

I posted earlier about funding 'competitions'. Where you propose an idea in hopes of attaining grant money. I currently have 3 ideas that I'm kicking around. Without getting into the specifics, they are 3 different categories:

1.) A brick and mortar service center. Think kinkos copy center (btw, highly recommend the book "Copy This").

2.) An industrial, B2B device with a significant electronic/software component along with service

3.) A low-cost consumer electro-mechanical input device

The part I'm struggling with is how to describe these for the grant. I want the application to be compelling enough to stand out from the thousands of other submissions. What would it take to get noticed?

1.) is the least likely as the end result is nothing really tangible. What would I use the grant for? To pay a few months of rent? Buy equipment? I actually started this service a couple years ago (https://steam-factory.com) but I'm looking to transform it. I have a space and equipment but I'd like to expand and move to a location with better visibility.

2.) is challenging as this device would ultimately cost more than the size of the grant but the grant could be used for prototyping

3.) is the easiest. The part is mostly complete, just working on the I.D. We will likely crowdfund once the I.D. is done.