This is a list of some of the many stages Startups usually follow on the road to success.
Crystallization Of Ideas
Teambuilding
Determine Tech/Programming Direction [Apache, FreeBSD, Python, etc., etc.]
Incorporation
Founders Agreements/Stock Vesting/IP
Advisory Board
Self or Angel Financing To Fund Proof Of Concept [POC] And Alpha Test
Multiple Prototypes
Produce Solutions Not Products
Draft/Implement A Preliminary Copyright/Trademark/IP/Patent Strategy
Use Your Solution Everyday
Indemnify Yourself Against Potential Damages In Your Terms Of Use User Agreements
Closed Alpha Test
Open Alpha Test
Generate Free Publicity Via Forums/Blogs
Recapitulation, Solution Redevelopment Based On User Feedback
Team Expansion, New Founders And/Or Employees
Increasing Lead Users And Pro Users Through Intense Outreach
Solution Rollout
Self, Angel, Or Seed Stage VC Financing To Facilitate Solution RolloutBrainstorming
Get Rid Of Bugs
Add New Usability Features/Increase Hackability
Improve User Interface Design
Track Your Users
Form General Demographic Profiles of Your Users
Hang Out Where Your Users Are
Finalize Prototype [Also Envision Multiple Versions For Future Release/Envision Additional Add-On Solutions For Future Release]
Beta Test/Business Model Test/Revenue Model Test
Intense User Outreach
Redeploy or Modify Business Model and Revenue Model As Needed As Per User Response
Get Free Press/Leverage Blogger Appeal
Build Number Of Users To A Sustainable Level [200,000+ Total Users, 15%+ Monthly User Growth Rate]
Team Expansion/New Employees
Research Competitors [Especially Startups and Open Source Companies]
Calculate Burnrate or Runway
Write Two Sustainable Business Plans For Your Company: 1. Planning Doc For A Bootstrapped/Pay-As-You-Go Approach To Company Expansion and 2. Planning Doc For A Growth Company Utilizing Large-Scale VC Funding For Quick Expansion
Pick Which Scenario Suits Your Needs--Bootstrapped or VC
Prepare For Meetings With VCs: Collect User, Market, Industry, and Competitor Empirical Data; Establish Milestones, Budget, Funding Amount Sought, Estimate Pre Money/Post Money Valuations, etc., etc. Or Prepare For Bootstrapping: Focus On Sales, Cutting Costs, and Generating Free Cash Flow
Seek Advice From Consultants And Startup Founders Experienced In Presenting To VCs
Network With Angels and VCs For Series A Round Funding
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