3. 1. Should address a existing pain point
2. Make consumer aware of the existing pain point
3. Show him the simplest way of doing it there by creating a need
4. Create a convenient market place or technological solution to reduce
consumer efforts
KEY REQUIREMENTS OFAN IDEA OR CONCEPT
4. Idea addressing a existing pain point…..
The idea will meet the
competitors early on
The idea of the
product or service
should be a
differentiator
The idea should
compel the consumer
to be able to identify
himself with the
product or service.
8. PROOFOFCONCEPT.
POC is the first step
to showcase the
product to outside
world and should be
close to reality.
POC is the first step in
the VC world and
should be able to
evoke the best possible
interest from the VC
world.
POC should make
the prospective
investor to sit up
and try to see the
big picture around
it.
9. Conclusion: What ever the idea may be ,if it addresses
the customersneeds, pain points early on with a logical
Proof of Concept can be a great winner !
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10. Golden rules of the execution in any
start up
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11. Life cycle of a start up
Seed capital
to Series A
capital
Series A to
growth
capital
Growth
capital to
fully ripe
start up
IPO or sale
to strategic
partner
Idea to seed
capital
Relatively easy
period
Meets with the competition
and starts facing resistance to
product and revenue model
Most challenging
period, time to build
up team, put systems
in place
Speed of growth will
slow, business requires
multi fold challenges
and expertise,
unexpected hurdles,
may require a pivot,
external market
pressures
Company is ready
for strategic sale or
IPO. Corporate
governance is in
place, business in to
black and
adequately
capitalized.
12. Idea to seed capital.
• This is the period wherein the idea gets converted to the POC.
• This period is crucial since it translates the idea in to reality.
• This is the period when the initial team is being put in place and all the
efforts are being diverted to convert the POC in to commercially deployable
product.
• Most ideal situation would be when the product is out in the market and
the initial traction and testing has happened within seed capital.
• This time frame is available for doing all sort of refinements to product
based on the feedback and traction and acceptability from the market.
13. Seed capital to seriesAcapital.
This is most challenging period for any start up since company starts facing the
real issues like
• acceptability of products,
• awareness of company and product,
• creating the reach within a short period of time,
• Fixing up issues in pricing
• Logistics
• Building up the required team
• Creating marketing buzz
This is the period when 360 degree action is required with great speed.
This will certainly help to remain ahead of the competition.
This phase requires A class core team to be in place connected with
common goal. They are not just executioners but also leaders who will
build their B team.
14. SeriesAcapital to growth capital.
This is the phase where the business is poised towards growth and the product
is well established. This phase typically will denote the consolidation phase
when most of the aspects have fallen in place and team is ready to accelerate
the growth.
The cautious approach would be draw up the growth plan after carefully
considering the potential and capacity of the market. Any wrong information
would often lead to wrong paths and would destroy the momentum.
The growth plan on the drawing board should be thought over and challenged
multiple times before it is being put out in the market for raising the growth
capital.
Robust MIS dash board and careful market analysis is a prerequisite for the
growth plan. Series B and C investors would be looking at the plans carefully.
15. Growth capital to fully ripe start up.
This phase suddenly slows down the pace of the growth and most unknown
hurdles crop up during the phase.
By this time the competition would have been in action and posing a serious
threat to your business.
Unknown factors would have started effecting the model and it becomes
imperative that all the decisions are weighed carefully.
This is the phase where CEO starts spending more time wondering about the
top line growth and bottom line.
Entrepreneur should evaluate every decision since all of them would have far
reaching consequences. He should be bold enough to make a pivot to the
business model in order to achieve sustainability.
This is the longest phase of the entire life cycle of the start up and CFO plays
extremely important role here.
16. Every start up needs a dynamic CFO, in fact this is a must for a success of the
start up. He should be on board immediately post the seed capital.
CFO should not be mistaken as accountant since he would point out what not
to do rather than what has been done wrong.
He plays a crucial role of keeping the company and entrepreneur grounded. He
is the one who asks most uncomfortable questions and who plays a devil’s
advocate.
He helps to shape up the vision and strategy of the company. CFO plays a
crucial role in building up the sound systems, solid foundation, keep the
company compliant all the time, helps to evaluate the future opportunities.
In fact CFO is a back bone of a successful start up and companies should never
shy away from roping a seasoned CFO.
17. We at startupdirexions help the start ups to build , grow
and create value for the stakeholders.
www.startupdirexions.com