Description
Book Synopsis25 Steps to Found and Scale a High-Growth Business The Startup Checklist is the entrepreneur's essential companion. While most entrepreneurship books focus on strategy, this invaluable guide provides the concrete steps that will get your new business off to a strong start.
Table of ContentsForeword Bill Gross xi
Preface Why Every Entrepreneur Needs This Book Instead of the other 93,210 Books on Entrepreneurship xiii
Introduction 25 Key Action Steps (Plus One)
for Every Entrepreneur 1
Part I Prepare to Launch 15
1. Translate Your Idea into a Compelling Business Model 17
2. Craft a Lean Business Plan to Serve as Your Venture’s Road Map 25
3. Find and Know Your Competitors 35
4. Build Your Dream Team 45
5. Allocate the Equity in Your Startup 55
6. Build a Minimum Viable Product and Validate Your Plan with Customers 63
7. Establish Your Brand with Online Public Profiles 69
8. Network Effectively within the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem 77
Part II Launch and Build Your Company 85
9. Incorporate Your Company for Protection and Investment 87
10. “Lawyer Up” the Right Way 95
11. Recruit Your Boards of Directors and Advisors 105
12. Select an Accountant and an Accounting System 113
13. Establish and Manage Your Credit Profile 123
14. Open Bank, Credit Card, and Merchant Accounts 131
15. Choosing Your Key Technologies, Platforms, and Vendors 139
16. Measure Your Business with Data Analytics 149
17. Round out Your Team with Employees and Freelancers 163
18. Establish a Stock Option Plan to Incentivize Your Team 175
Part III Raise Funds; Collaborate with Investors; Plan for Your Exit 183
19. Understand The Funding Process and What Investors Want to See 185
20. Nurture Your Investor Pipeline 197
21. Crowdfunding and Online Platforms 207
22. Survive the Term Sheet Negotiation and Investor Due Diligence 215
23. Get the Most from Your Investors, Now and in the Future 225
24. Understand Your Company’s Valuation 233
25. Keep Your Eye on the Exit and Reap the Benefits of Success 243
The Startup Checklist Online: Gust.com/Checklist 251
Appendices
Appendix A The Startup Reading List 253
Appendix B Sample Due Diligence Request 257
Appendix C Starting a U.S. Corporation from a Foreign Country 265
Appendix D Sample Convertible Preferred Stock Term Sheet 269
Appendix E Sample Convertible Note Term Sheet 285
Appendix F Sample Founder Accord 291
Acknowledgments 295
Index 299
