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Sam Decker

25 Characteristics of The Ideal Startup

This is a list I created some time ago of the ideal startup…

  1. Defendable and differentiated

  2. Competitive cost structure

  3. Attractive partnership opportunities

  4. Repeat customers

  5. Word of mouth opportunity

  6. Memorable product and name

  7. Potential for PR

  8. Attractive to be bought or merged

  9. Scaleable staff and systems

  10. Scaleable product — build once, sell many times

  11. Uncomplicated

  12. Focus

  13. Niche market or fragmented industry

  14. High velocity and large market / industry

  15. High perceived value

  16. Product can be accessorized – revenue synergies

  17. Healthy cash flow –> margin x velocity

  18. Demonstrable felt need, demand – does it hit a primal chord?

  19. Business can be measured for improvement

  20. Can claim leadership

  21. Sales model is scaleable and predictable

  22. Product evokes emotion

  23. Can make big wins – big customers

  24. Limited exposure to legal issues

  25. Own relationship with and information about customers

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