#Checklist for startup

[nobsstartupguide]

Essential Startup Fundraising Checklist

Explore our essential startup fundraising checklist to find investors and raise funding successfully. Perfect your pitch and secure investment for your startup with these actionable steps.

[successvalues]

Start Off Differently: How To Identify Your Business' USP

In today’s highly competitive business landscape, standing out from the crowd is crucial for success. This is where your unique selling proposition (USP) comes into play. A USP is a distinctive factor that sets your business apart from competitors, making it the driving force behind your brand’s success. Imagine this: you’re searching for a quick meal, and you come across three burger joints. Two…

[foreignerdsinc09]

What Are the Latest SEO Trends to Follow in 2023?

The SEO landscape is constantly evolving. What worked yesterday may not work today, and what works today may not work tomorrow. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of the latest SEO trends and keep your finger on the pulse of the industry. Before you can do that, however, you need to understand what is SEO and what SEO trends are actually worth your time and attention as well as how an SEO strategy can help.

[startupmoversind]

Essential Guide to Fundraising Due Diligence

Raising funds can be challenging, especially when facing obstacles that hinder investor approval. A well-prepared approach is crucial, as lacking necessary documents or compliance can jeopardize deals and erode trust. This comprehensive due diligence checklist is designed to ensure you are fully prepared with the required documentation, paving the way for successful fundraising.

Understanding Investor Rejections

Consider a scenario where a startup with a promising product idea secures an investor meeting, only to falter due to missing financial statements, ambiguous ownership structures, and unresolved compliance issues. Such situations are not uncommon. Fundraising is not solely about delivering an impressive pitch; it involves demonstrating that your business merits investment. Investors scrutinize various aspects, from financial stability to intellectual property, and even minor oversights can derail potential deals. In 2023, the average duration to close private capital funds was around 15.8 months, with some cases extending up to 21.1 months due to economic slowdowns and increasing compliance complexities. Whether targeting angel investors or venture capitalists, thorough preparation is key.

The 5 Ps of Due Diligence

Investors assess startups through multiple lenses to ensure their investments are sound. Focusing on the 5 Ps of Due Diligence can help align your preparation with investor expectations:

People: Highlight the expertise and strengths of your team.

Product: Showcase the uniqueness and scalability of your offering.

Processes: Ensure operational workflows are efficient and scalable.

Performance: Present clear financial statements and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Projections: Provide realistic growth strategies supported by data-driven forecasts.

Addressing these areas not only enhances your due diligence but also fosters trust and transparency with potential investors.

Fundamentals of Fundraising Due Diligence

Fundraising due diligence is a critical process where investors evaluate the credibility of your startup before committing funds. They thoroughly investigate your business's financial soundness, legal compliance, and market positioning. Missing any vital elements can lead to delays or failed funding attempts.

Key Areas of Focus

Financial Health: Investors require detailed records of revenue, expenses, and profit margins. Accurate financial statements are essential for assessing profitability and risk.

Legal Compliance: This includes valid contracts, intellectual property rights, and adherence to regulations.

Market Validation: Investors analyze competitor landscapes and growth potential to understand your unique value proposition.

Ownership Structure: Clear insights into team expertise and internal processes are crucial for demonstrating operational efficiency.

A comprehensive Seed Stage Due Diligence Checklist can help cover all critical areas without feeling overwhelmed.

Importance of Accurate Valuation

A precise valuation sets clear expectations for both entrepreneurs and investors, serving as a negotiation foundation that reflects your company's true worth. Misestimating value can create significant hurdles in fundraising.

Factors Influencing Valuation

Revenue Growth: Consistent growth metrics indicate a healthy business trajectory.

Market Potential: Targeting larger or underserved markets enhances perceived value.

Intellectual Property: Patents and proprietary technologies provide competitive advantages.

Comparable Companies: Benchmarking against similar startups helps position your valuation appropriately.

Preparing Your Due Diligence Checklist

Before engaging with investors, ensure all necessary documents are organized:

Financial Documents: Current balance sheets, income statements, and tax filings covering the past 2-3 years.

Legal Contracts: Clear agreements related to employment and intellectual property rights.

Ownership Distribution: Transparency regarding equity distribution is vital for investor confidence.

Market Research: Provide evidence of market demand and competitive advantages.

Key Preparations

Conduct a Mock Due Diligence: Engage third-party experts to identify documentation gaps.

Address Potential Red Flags: Resolve issues related to legal disputes or inaccurate data proactively.

Create a Data Room: A secure online space for document access streamlines the due diligence process.

The Role of Technology in Due Diligence

Technology can simplify due diligence by organizing workflows efficiently:

Data Management Platforms: Secure storage solutions improve transparency and save time.

Valuation Software: Tools for generating accurate projections enhance investor decision-making.

Cap Table Management: Systems that track equity distribution clarify ownership stakes for investors.

Compliance Trackers: Tools that help maintain regulatory obligations ensure legal requirements are met.

Conclusion: Building Investor Confidence

Raising funds is pivotal for business growth but requires meticulous preparation. Thoroughly organizing due diligence documentation, accurately valuing your company, and leveraging technology will enhance investor trust. Remember that due diligence is not merely about avoiding pitfalls; it’s about establishing credibility with potential investors. Prepare diligently before meetings to increase your chances of securing funding.

FAQs

Q: Why is due diligence important before raising funds? Due diligence builds trust by ensuring transparency and identifying potential issues affecting investment decisions.

Q: How do I prepare my business for due diligence? Organize financial records, clarify ownership structures, update market research, and ensure all legal documents are accurate.

Q: What common mistakes should I avoid during due diligence? Avoid incomplete records, unclear ownership structures, outdated market data, and unresolved legal disputes that could raise red flags for investors.

[legalfirmindia]

Data Protection: Legal Safeguards for Your Business

In today’s digital age, data is the lifeblood of most businesses. Customer information, financial records, and intellectual property – all this valuable data resides within your systems. However, with this digital wealth comes a significant responsibility: protecting it from unauthorized access, misuse, or loss. Data breaches can have devastating consequences, damaging your reputation, incurring…

[finansh]

Your Checklist for Home Loan Documentation in India

Prepping for a home loan application? Finansh's Home Loan Document Checklist is your go-to resource for all the paperwork you'll need. Get organized and ready to apply! View Checklist

[mistercrowbar]

I’m doing the thing i’m making the dang VN sprites. Just sketching neutral poses to start and i should prolly figure out the GUI. Someone give me a startup checklist so I’m not doing it all on the fly 😵‍💫

[csuitebitches]

2024 reading list

The $100 StartUp

The E-Myth Revisited 

The Four Steps to the Epiphany

Hooked

The Checklist Manifesto

The Lean Startup

Creativity Inc. 

Who - smart and street

Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters by Steven Pinker

The School of Life: An Emotional Education by Alain de Botton

Rapport: The Four Ways to Read People by Emily and Laurence Alison

Mistakes Were Made (but Not by Me) Third Edition: Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts by Carol Tavris

Upstream: How to Solve Problems Before They Happen by Dan Heath

Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall

The Revenge of Geography by Robert D. Kaplan

The World: A Brief Introduction by Richard 

The Quest by Daniel Yergin

Who Rules the World? by Noam Chomsky

Day of Empire by Amy Chua

India’s China Challenge by Ananth Krishnan

How to Stage a Coup – Rory Cormac – 2022

Secret History of the Five Eyes (2022) – Richard Kerbaj

Xi: A Study in Power (2022) – Kerry Brown

The India Way by S. Jaishankar

Michael Lewis: Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon

David Rubenstein: How to Invest: Masters on the Craft

Elon Musk by Isaacson, Walter

The Man Who Knew - Sebastian Mallaby

Blood and Oil - Bradley Hope, Justin Scheck

Brazillionaires - Alex Cuadros

Empire Of Pain- Patrick Radden Keefe

The Match King - Frank Partnoy

McMafia - Misha Glenny

[nobsstartupguide]

The Future of Business: Startup Ideas Making Waves 

Welcome to No BS Startup Guide, where we explore the most innovative business concepts that are reshaping the industry. It's evident that innovation is essential to entrepreneurship success as we move into 2024. A variety of startup concepts are surfacing this year with the potential to completely transform markets and open up new avenues. The moment is right if you're thinking about starting a business and want to learn more about these innovative ideas. Let's explore the trending startup ideas  and their potential effects on the direction of company.

1. Sustainable Solutions for a Greener Planet

 Sustainable business concepts are becoming increasingly popular as environmental issues become more urgent. Companies that put an emphasis on environmentally friendly operations and goods are not only attracting an increasing number of environmentally concerned customers, but they are also setting the benchmark for future industry norms.

Key Areas of Focus:

Renewable Energy: In addition to helping to create a cleaner environment, startups that specialize in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources are also witnessing an increase in demand.

Circular Economy: Businesses that prioritize trash reduction, recycling, and upcycling are responding to the pressing need for more environmentally friendly purchasing habits.

Why It Matters: 

Customers are starting to choose companies that have a solid environmental reputation. Purchasing stock in a startup that places a high priority on sustainability can have a big impact on the long run and help your company stay compliant with emerging regulations.

2. Artificial Intelligence and Automation

Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the business environment and opening up new startup prospects across a range of industries. In addition to increasing productivity, AI-driven technologies are creating new opportunities for creative problem-solving in a variety of sectors.

Key Areas of Focus:

AI-Powered Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants are transforming customer service by enabling companies to lower operating expenses and offer round-the-clock assistance.

Automated Workflow Solutions: Businesses can streamline operations and concentrate on strategic growth by partnering with startups that create technologies to automate repetitive procedures.

Why It Matters: Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation have the potential to greatly increase efficiency and accuracy, which attracts companies hoping to upend established business models and provide innovative solutions.

3. Health and Wellness Innovations

The industry for health and wellness is still growing because individuals are placing a higher priority on their health. Startups in this field are investigating novel approaches to combining technology and health, providing a wide range of needs-satisfied solutions.

Key Areas of Focus:

Telemedicine: Recent international events have hastened the growth of virtual healthcare services, which enable patients to get medical advice and treatment from the comfort of their homes.

Wearable Technology: Advances in wearable technology allow people to track key health indicators in real-time, offering insightful information and encouraging a proactive approach to managing health.

Why This Is Important: Startups that provide cutting-edge solutions in the wellness and health field are well-positioned for success as these areas become increasingly important in people's lives. There are plenty of prospects for new company initiatives due to the growing need for individualized health management solutions.

4. Remote Work Solutions

The trend toward remote work has resulted in a sharp increase in the need for products and services that facilitate online productivity and collaboration. Startups offering remote work solutions are responding to the changing demands of both employers and workers.

Key Areas of Focus:

Collaborative Software: In order for remote teams to function effectively, they need tools that improve communication and collaboration virtually.

Infrastructure for Remote Work: As more businesses embrace flexible work schedules, startups that offer solutions for handling the logistics of remote work—such as cybersecurity and cloud-based resources—become increasingly important.

Why This Is Important: As more companies adopt remote work as a standard practice, entrepreneurs that provide creative ways to enhance remote working environments stand to gain a lot from them.

5. E-Commerce and Digital Marketplaces

There are no indications that the e-commerce boom will abate. Businesses that make use of online sales platforms and digital marketplaces can enter a hugely promising and quickly expanding sector.

Key Areas of Focus:

Niche Marketplaces: By focusing on certain hobbies or demographics, startups developing specialized e-commerce platforms are achieving success.

Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Models: Companies that sell to customers directly online are gaining an advantage since they are fostering closer bonds with their clientele.

Why This Is Important: The trend of shopping more and more online has made e-commerce a profitable space for new businesses. Significant market potential and competitive advantages might result from innovations in this industry

6. EdTech and Lifelong Learning.

The use of education technology, or EdTech, is revolutionizing the way individuals acquire new skills. Innovative solutions that improve accessibility, engagement, and efficacy of learning are being offered by startups in this field.

Key Areas of Focus:

Online Learning Platforms: In response to the growing need for flexible learning options, startups are offering extensive online courses and training programs.

Tools for Skill Development: In order for professionals to remain relevant in a labor market that is changing quickly, they need tools that support ongoing learning and skill development.

Why This Is Important: Since professional development and lifelong learning are becoming increasingly important, EdTech companies are well-positioned to meet the demands of both instructors and students.

7. Personalized Consumer Experiences

Today's consumers demand tailored interactions from the brands they deal with. In terms of consumer involvement, startups ideas that prioritize customizing goods, services, and marketing to each individual's tastes are setting the standard.

Key Areas of Focus:

Data-Driven Insights: By using data analytics to comprehend customer behavior and preferences, startups are developing more focused and successful marketing campaigns.

Customized Products: Companies that provide customized goods and services see an increase in client loyalty and satisfaction.

Why It Matters: Customer loyalty and satisfaction are significantly influenced by personalization. Long-term success and solid client relationships are expected for startups that succeed at providing personalized experiences.

In summary;

Many creative startup concepts are shaping the direction of business. These developments are changing markets and opening up new avenues in a variety of fields, including e-commerce, AI, sustainability, and health. Examining these innovative concepts as you plan the launch of your future company might offer insightful information and successful routes.

We at No BS Startup Guide are dedicated to provide you clear-cut, useful guidance to help you succeed in the startup industry. Personalized consumer experiences, technological advancements, or environmental sustainability—the future is full with exciting opportunities for those who are prepared to take them.

[libraford]

The good news is that he found a different job and next week is his last week and I only have to work with him 2 more times and only one of those times will I be alone.

Tech talk and rant below.

But in my opinion, we should have fired him earlier on because two weeks into the season he was unclear of what any of the equipment apart from the camera actually did.

The camera takes the picture.

The lights light the subject.

The computer matches the subject to the picture.

The transmitter connects the camera to the lights wirelessly, so that when you take the picture the lights flash automatically.

The sync cord connects the camera to the computer so that the image is displayed on the screen.

The skyport connects the lights to the computer so that they automatically adjust.

Its just all the electronics going through a circular systems check to make sure they are firing properly and matching it up against our white balance test. I know it sounds complicated, but its literally just a circle.

I understand that this can be complicated for someone who is used to 'click button, get picture.' But having the same problems over and over again because he doesn't understand the proper procedure and doesn't look at the checklist that he swears he never received even though I gave him my laminated copy and having to fix all of the problems that are literally because he didn't respect me enough to listen when I explained it to him cuts into the time that could be spent getting ready.

Now we are a month and a half in and on Tuesday he asked me what the skyport does.

If your skyport fails, you have to adjust your lights manually.

Therefore... skyport makes the computer talk to your lights.

And every time something fails, he says 'this would be so much easier without computers' and I'm like. Fine. Okay? Try to match 900 student names to photos without a computerized indexing system. Try getting the light to be consistent without a startup exposure test.

No sense of troubleshooting, which isn't very difficult. If something isn't right, restart the computer and try again. If you get a repeat of the problem, call Freddie from IT. But usually, a reboot fixes most problems.

But then he started breaking the rules, and in a very intentional way. Like at first it was 'oh I didn't know I wasn't supposed to show them the photo' even though we went over this in training. Then it was 'well, I'm not supposed to show you the photo but if you come back here while I'm adjusting my lights I can't stop you.'

At first it was 'hey, Jay, remember what Freddie said about the no-touch policy during training? I know you want to make the kids like you, but its very unprofessional to ask them for a high five, especially since these schools are very strict about their own no-touch policies and also did we not just go through a wholeass pandemic?'

And now students are complaining about him physically adjusting their posture with his hands.

Like... I don't mind bending the rules a little. But before you can bend the rules, you have to understand why the rules are there, so that when they are bent there is a good reason. The rule about showing photos is there to make workflow consistent. The no touch rule is for the safety of ourselves and the students.

But breaking the rules constantly just out of disrespect means that I can't bend them myself. I have to be a hardass. I hate being a hardass. But if I'm not a hardass and someone tells me that he's violating our no-touch policy, the company gets in deep trouble.

Not that he'll ever... ever follow my advice on the subject because as previously mentioned- he respects no one here. He has 15 years experience as a photographer and is too good for this place. Why would he listen to someone under 40 with three years experience dealing with schools?

His pictures aren't even very good. They're average.

Just two more jobs with him and then he's off to do something else and gods I hope he's better at that than he is a school photographer.

[foreignerdsinc09]

Digital Marketing Services

Find out how Foreignerds Inc. can help enhance your business with online visibility and better reachability with digital marketing services.

[theresa-of-liechtenstein]

art by em year in review 2023!

for the fourth time, i present to you a selection of the art i did this year! this definitely was the Year of Understanding Procreate, and i think it paid off. as usual, reflections under the cut.

january: i saw @malcolm-f-tucker tag a picture of abigail thaw with a comment about a theresa faceclaim and it left no survivors, i.e. i decided that theresa should have greying hair and did not look back. this was from when i was still trying to figure out what brush to use for lineart in procreate. luckily i had learned my lesson from the sketchbook learning curve and realized that what i liked for lineart would most likely be in the pencil section. however i wasn’t a huge fan of the brush i used in this one, so i didn’t use it again. instead, for later pieces, i decided to customize the 6b pencil brush to my liking, and…

february: …this came out of it! this is still one of my favorite things i have ever drawn, and it’s my favorite thing i’ve drawn yet for herc and linda. this piece really convinced me to use overlay layers more in my art, and the amount of detail i managed to capture in this one still amazes me now. and before anyone asks, yes, they are doing specific things in the startup procedure for an airbus a320-family aircraft, except linda is doing things off the CM1 checklist and herc is doing something off the CM2 checklist, which i learned later is not really something that is done. let’s just say herc is not the tightest stickler to convention.

march: one half of an intended two pieces centered around the f1 au (which, regrettably, i have yet to continue… i just reread what little of the second part is on ao3 and god, it slaps actually, i really need to continue it so bad) depicting a pivotal scene from around the outside, where theresa and linda decide to put aside a childhood feud at the top of the banked curve at monza. at sunset. on theresa’s birthday. i know, very meaningful, incredibly homoerotic. read the fic to see how well that turns out!

april: i always knew i wanted to redraw the first filipino!hercolyn thing i did back in 2020, the one that completely solidified in my mind the notion that These Characters Are Filipino, Actually, and when i got comfortable in procreate i quickly jumped on that. (if you notice, a lot of the stuff i did this year were redraws of old pieces i really liked but wasn’t fully satisfied with.) of course i wanted to draw them in the traditional clothes in my parents’ and grandparents’ wedding pictures. the implication of this being, of course, that this is the soft shoe shuffle wedding. i have a fic planned centered around that, from douglas’ perspective. now that grad school apps are basically done, if my honors thesis doesn’t kick me too hard, i’d love to get on that as soon as i can.

may: YOU JUST GOT COLINED! SEND THIS TO A FRIEND TO TOTALLY COLIN THEM! ah, colin fairbairn: the figure whose presence haunts all of newcastle but is never actually. named. (much to the chagrin of a lot of people who genuinely thought linda’s dad was named colin bc i Wouldn’t Shut Up About It) i just love him so much and i love this piece, i wanted to depict the wistfulness of an older colin whose airline is on the verge of collapse, who has been secure in his job as chief pilot of air cal, who looks out over glasgow airport (that’s glasgow’s runway in the background) and wonders if it’s time to put himself out to pasture. wondering what he could have done differently. it’s okay bby. there’s no way that you could have prevented this. but he’d never believe it. he’s too duty bound. he lives in my head rent free.

june: another redraw, this time of a piece from 2021. i was so happy with this one, and i am very happy with it still! everything about the older piece i loved was improved massively by this redraw: the poses, the proportions, the line work, the coloring. honestly, just thinking about the two of them just existing in the airport, overlooked by bustling passengers, just part of the landscape, but having such a rich history and relationship between them… it’s something i think about a lot and i love it.

july: this comprises the third part of an unofficial trilogy of drawings i did centered around douglas/martin/theresa. in each one, i centered a different member of the ot3: i did one centering martin last year, one centering douglas in the spring, and this one centers theresa between douglas and martin. i really enjoy how i did the expressions in this one: martin, looking out toward the planes; theresa, following his gaze, eager to share in the passion they both have; and douglas, looking down at both of them (yeah i think they’re both shorter than him. i think it’s cute). i feel like when i draw these three, where they look and how they look is very important to me.

august: can you believe before this point i had never drawn herc and douglas together? yeah, me too. anyway, them 🤍 i’ve literally only ever drawn them as older men so trying to draw them younger was. lowkey kind of hard. i’m hoping to revisit air england herc and douglas in the future, especially since i didn’t intend for this to be anything more than a quick bit due to those bisexual divorcee brackets (which i don’t know what became of them in the end except that douglas got through and herc didn’t, lmao)

september: unposted self-portrait done as a part of my aerospace fellowship application i wound up getting rejected from because they required me to do a creative component. not much to say here. anyways.

october: yet another redraw, this time of a portrait of herc, carolyn, linda, and arthur i did a year prior, in october of 2022. i like to think that lfeu!herc carries pictures of linda, arthur, and carolyn in his wallet: he had never wanted to be the family man for most of his life, but in his new life, this new form, he can play it well. something about the coloring seems a little off to me: i think i may have to go in and adjust arthur’s skin tone because i think it doesn’t look 100% right. but i love this one too. i hemmed and hawed for ages over what they should be wearing but in the end i put them in what they’d wear for work bc i couldn’t think anymore. but it turned out super cute and i think it emphasizes what brought the four of them together in the first place: aviation.

november: a cute little doodle of young!colin with baby linda, from a bigger piece. something i generally feel like i’ve gotten stronger with this year has been drawing a larger variety of poses. i discovered that procreate allows you to import reference images in a smaller window that can be very easily dragged around and resized, which was a massive improvement over my previous strategy with sketchbook, which had been to import reference images as their own layers. often, moving it around or resizing reference images resulted in some loss of quality. anyways there’s something just so tender about colin and linda and i love to revisit them.

december: last but not least, we finish off the way we started, with theresa (and an added douglas lol). and boy, how different does december look from january? granted, it’s a different angle, but i personally think there is so much more dimension at the end of the year compared to the beginning. i was less afraid of using overlays to enhance the coloring. and the brush i wound up settling on for lineart really ended up serving me well this whole year, culminating in this piece. not much to say on this one, i like it a lot :)

overall thoughts: i didn’t think i drew as much as i wanted to this year, but looking back i still think i made really good progress and improved a lot from last year, so i’m still happy. definitely want to draw more next year, explore new subjects, and maybe work on redrawing more pieces from previous years because those projects have been very fun to undertake.

once again i want to say a big thank you to everyone who’s ever shared or commented or left a like on anything i’ve drawn: it will have been 10 years next year since the end of the show i primarily create fanwork for, and to still have people out there who like what i do is such a gift. yes i create for myself, but i do also like receiving feedback from others and sharing it with others, so thank you thank you thank you. and happiest of new years to all :)

[nobossinc]

Business Startup CHECKLIST | Interactive

This Business Startup Checklist is just one of the many tools and actionable content we create for new entrepreneurs. It gives you steps to planning your new business. Your won’t forget a thing!

Ready to embark on your entrepreneurial journey but feeling overwhelmed by where to begin? Look no further than the Business Startup Checklist from NOBOSS. This invaluable resource is just one of many tools we've curated for aspiring entrepreneurs like you.

The Business Startup Checklist provides a comprehensive roadmap for planning and launching your new venture. With step-by-step guidance, you'll navigate every crucial aspect of starting a business with confidence. Plus, it's fully customizable, interactive, and easily shareable.

And here's the best part:

When you download the startup checklist for free, you'll also receive a discount code to upgrade to NOBOSS Workshops Complete, unlocking even more resources and support to fuel your entrepreneurial success.