Startup Resources & Templates
Everything you need to build your startup, organized by phase. Free guides, templates, and actionable insights from our 7-phase methodology.
Resources by Phase
Follow our proven 7-phase methodology. Each phase includes step-by-step guides with downloadable templates.
Ideation
Define your vision and validate your idea
Transform your business idea into a clear, validated vision. This phase helps you articulate what you're building, who it's for, and why it matters. You'll develop the foundational thinking that guides every decision ahead.
Articles & Templates:
Define your long-term vision and mission for the company
Identify and understand your ideal customer segments
Articulate what makes your solution different and better
Map out how your business creates and captures value
Design how your business will generate income
Craft a compelling 60-second explanation of your business
Determine the type of digital product you're building
Formation
Establish your legal and business foundation
Set up the legal and operational infrastructure for your business. This phase covers everything from incorporating your company to establishing your digital presence and financial foundation.
Articles & Templates:
Choose and validate your official business name
Register your business entity with the state
Obtain your Employer Identification Number from the IRS
Open a dedicated business checking account
Secure your primary web domain
Set up professional email with your domain
Establish a dedicated business phone line
Set up your official business mailing address
Register for your Dun & Bradstreet business identifier
Create profiles on Google Business and directories
Launch a simple page to capture early interest
Branding
Create your visual identity and brand presence
Develop the visual and verbal identity that will represent your company. This phase establishes how your brand looks, sounds, and feels across every touchpoint.
Articles & Templates:
Define your brand personality and positioning
Create a memorable brand tagline
Collect visual inspiration for your brand aesthetic
Develop your brand's visual direction
Design your primary logo and variations
Create professional business card designs
Claim your handles across major platforms
Design branded templates for social content
Protect your brand with trademarks
Product Design
Define what you're building and for whom
Design your product with a deep understanding of your users. This phase covers user research, competitive analysis, and product definition to ensure you're building something people actually want.
Articles & Templates:
Create detailed profiles of your target users
Research and analyze your competitors
Define your product's long-term direction
Specify features and functionality
Position your product in the market
Articulate the value your product delivers
Create initial wireframes and mockups
Development
Plan and build your technical foundation
Create the technical blueprint and begin building your product. This phase covers architecture decisions, technology choices, and development planning.
Articles & Templates:
Choose your technologies and frameworks
Design your app's structure and navigation
Document detailed technical specifications
Define MVP features and development phases
Create timeline and milestones for building
Identify roles and resources needed
Launch
Go to market with a solid marketing strategy
Prepare and execute your go-to-market strategy. This phase covers everything from marketing planning to content creation and customer acquisition.
Articles & Templates:
Define your overall approach to reaching customers
Create a detailed launch marketing timeline
Select your marketing tools and platforms
Build your public-facing marketing site
Plan your blog, video, and content strategy
Define your social media content calendar
Plan paid acquisition campaigns
Create compelling launch promotions
Plan PR, partnerships, and influencer outreach
Create templates for B2B sales conversations
Funding
Prepare to raise capital and scale
Get ready to pitch investors and raise capital. This phase covers pitch deck creation, investor research, and outreach strategies to fund your growth.
Articles & Templates:
Create a compelling investor presentation
Research and identify target VC firms
Find angel investors in your industry
Plan and execute investor outreach
Build credibility on LinkedIn and Twitter
Establish business credit for financing options
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