Starting a Startup

From idea to first launch: validating demand, choosing a structure, finding co-founders and building a first version.

Most startups fail because the idea was never tested, not because the code was bad. These guides take you from a rough idea to a validated plan: how to talk to customers, how to choose a structure and a name, how to find a co-founder and how to build a first version that is small enough to ship.

If you are brand new, begin with what a startup actually is and the step-by-step roadmap, then move to validation before you spend money on anything else.

Guides in this topic

What Is a Startup? Definition, Stages and ExamplesWhat is a startup? A plain-English definition, how a startup differs from a small business, the stages of a startup, and whether every new company counts.
How to Start a Startup: A Step-by-Step RoadmapHow to start a startup step by step: validate the idea, pick a structure, build an MVP, handle legal basics, fund it and get customers, even with a day job.
How to Validate a Startup Idea Before You BuildHow to validate a startup idea before you build it: customer interviews, a question bank, landing page tests, and a checklist for deciding whether to go ahead.
How to Find a Co-Founder and Know If They FitHow to find a co-founder: do you need one, where to look, how to test the fit, solo founder vs co-founder, and the red flags that should make you walk away.
How to Name Your Startup: A Practical GuideHow to name your startup: what makes a good name, how to brainstorm, check if a business name is taken, pick a domain, trademark basics and mistakes to avoid.
LLC vs C Corp for Startups: How to ChooseLLC vs C corp for startups: how each is taxed, what investors expect, why Delaware is common, and what to ask your lawyer and accountant before you file.
How to Build an MVP: A Step-by-Step GuideHow to build an MVP step by step: define the one problem, cut features, pick no-code or code, set a timeline, and test with real users before you spend more.
How to Write a Business Plan: Template and StepsHow to write a business plan for a startup: a section-by-section template, a lean one-page version, and what changes when the reader is an investor or a bank.
Low Cost Business Ideas: 14 Cheap Businesses to StartLow cost business ideas with who pays, what they cost to start and your first step, plus a cheap way to test any business idea before you spend.
Business Ideas With No Money: How to Start From ZeroBusiness ideas with no money: service-first models you can sell before you spend, how to get paid in advance, and the paperwork you still cannot skip.
Mistakes New Entrepreneurs Make (and How to Avoid Them)The mistakes new entrepreneurs make most often, from building before selling to mixing money, with cheap fixes and a checklist for your first 90 days.

Starting a Startup

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