Startups and High Growth Businesses

A "startup" is associated with a business that has high growth potential and is usually technology oriented. Startups have some unique struggles especially in regards to financing. Investors are looking for the highest potential return on investment, while balancing the associated risks.

Use these resources to help start, run, and expand a startup or high growth business.

Financing a Startup

From seed capital to capital for expansion, getting financing is one of the most important parts to a startup. Making sure you can impress the venture capitalists and the angel investors takes preparation and practice. Use these resources to help your startup in getting financing. 

• How to Find and Attract Investors
  Whether you need seed capital or your startup is expanding, discover where to seek out and find potential venture capitalists and investors. 
• Working with Investors: 4 Steps to Set the Ground Rules
  Learn how to protect your startup by following and setting ground rules for your investors, such as investor rights and compensation.
• Venture Capital and Equity Capital
  Venture capitalists are interested in businesses that have high growth potential. Learn about the different types of venture capitalists.
• Professional Presentation is Key to Attracting Investors
  Venture capitalists and angel investors require an elevator pitch and a professional business plan to attract them to your high growth startup.
• Bootstrapping Your Business
  If you cannot get venture capital or angel investments, you may want to consider reaching into your own pockets with a mixture of supplemental income, credit cards, and loans.
• Should Your Startup Go Public?
  Before making your startup a public company, consider the benefits and risks.

Dotcoms

The steps to starting a dotcom have many similarities to starting a brick and mortar business, but there are numerous benefits and risks to starting an online business. These resources will help you to start and grow your dotcom as well as address business topics specific to dotcoms. 

• Starting and Growing a Dotcom
  Get an entrepreneur’s checklist on where to start and grow your dotcom or other online startup.
• Getting Started with E-Commerce
  Starting up an e-commerce website or integrating one into your existing dotcom?  Get this entrepreneur’s checklist to help.
• Steps to Start an Online Business
  Whether you are starting an online business to sell a new high-tech device or an innovative technology, it is important to make sure your dotcom is started correctly.
• All About Domain Names
  Find out how to pick and get the proper domain name for your dotcom or startup.
• Google AdWords Explained
  Grow your startup with this cost effective marketing tool.
• 3 Technologies to Help You Take Advantage of the Economic Recovery
  Learn how to be innovative using technologies that help satisfy your existing customers and bring in new ones.

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Intellectual Property

With high-growth startups, entrepreneurs want to make sure to have their ideas protected. In the early stages of business, the idea is the driving force. These resources can help you to protect your ideas and products.

• Intellectual Property Explained – Protecting and Selling Your Unique Idea
  Intellectual property protection is a critical part of an entrepreneur’s growth and success. Learn how to protect yourself and your startup.   
• Understand Intellectual Property Law and How it Can Protect your Dotcom
  Know what you can and cannot protect regarding your dotcom, technology, and innovations.
• Need-to-Know Patent Information: The Bottom Line for Your Startup
  Learn the ins and outs of patents and the process for obtaining a patent.
• Tradenames and Trademarks – What’s the Difference?
  The laws and terminologies fall victim to misconception and confusion. Understand the differences so your startup is protected. 

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Marketing and Social Media

Like most small businesses, marketing should be on every startup owner’s agenda. Creating a brand and making sure that your customers and potential customers know about your high-technology, innovation, or idea is important. Use these resources to help build your brand with tradition marketing and social media.

• Why Your Startup Needs an Elevator Pitch
  Elevator pitches are great when meeting venture capitalists or other investors. Get some tips on what you need in an elevator pitch. 
• Marketing Your Startup with Events
  Event marketing is an excellent tool for entrepreneurs because they focus on the community and allow you to raise your profile with local customers.
• 10 Social Media Benchmark Statistics: How are You Doing?
  Benchmark how your dotcom or startup is utilizing social media to market your business.
• Putting the “Social” into Social Media Marketing
  Get 3 tips on how you can interact with your customers using social media.
• Adding Social Media to the Business Marketing Mix
  Social media is no longer a question of why, but how. Get some information on social media and how to use it for your startup. 
• Boost Your Startup’s Profile with Public Speaking
  Becoming a trusted resource should be a goal for all entrepreneurs. Public speaking is a great way to become a resource and market your startup. 

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Mentoring and Training

Creating a startup can become overwhelming but finding a mentor and resources can help. These resources will help you and your startup start, grow, and ultimately be successful.

• Small Business Training and Assistance Guide
  Several free counseling and training programs are available to help your startup.
• Small Business Development Centers: It’s No Secret
  Entrepreneurs are eligible for free and confidential counseling from local SBDCs to help start and expand their startup.
• Words of Inspiration for the Aspiring Entrepreneur
  Various entrepreneurs give words of inspiration on being young and how that can actually help.
• Starting and Growing Your Startup: 5 Valuable Lessons Learned from Reality TV Pros
  With the rise of shows like the Shark Tank, entrepreneurs can take advice from big venture capitalists, like don’t over-value your startup’s current or projected worth. 

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Green Businesses

A growing number of startups view global environmental problems as business opportunities. Learn about the major profits to be made by those that develop solutions to them. 

• Green Product Development
  Help your startup join the Green movement and learn about Green Technology Innovation grants and technical assistance. 
• Green Startup Guide
  These resources help your startup take advantages of the Green movement.

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Hiring Employees and Independent Contractors

Entrepreneurs need help to start and expand their startups. Make sure that you are hiring the right people and understand the difference between an employee and an independent contractor. 

• Hiring Independent Contractors
  From taxes to liability, understand what hiring an independent contractor means for your startup.
  
• 5 Things to Know About Hiring Independent Contractors
  Use this guide for hiring temporary and as-needed independent contractors to work for your startup.
  
• When Something’s Got to Give – Outsourcing Options for Your Startup
  An entrepreneur’s business life can get busy; maybe it’s time to hire a virtual assistant. Learn about ways you can outsource in your startup.
• Guide to Hiring Employees and Contractors
  Startups need employees and contractors. Get the basics about requirements and specific employment laws of hiring.