The Startup Checklist: 47 Things You Need Before Launch

Starting with a Bang

Over 90% of startups fail, often due to overlooked details rather than flawed ideas. Consider Airbnb; they launched with three air mattresses in a living room but had tested the market and refined their offering. Before you launch, ensure all your ducks are in a row.

The Essentials

• Validate Your Idea: Have a groundbreaking idea? Interview 5 potential customers this week before writing any code. Validation is about understanding your market, not just confirming your idea.

• Craft Your Business Model: Use the Business Model Canvas to outline your value proposition, customer segments, and revenue streams. Stripe, for example, targeted developers initially, leading to massive success.

• Secure Funding: Whether bootstrapping or seeking seed investment, understand your financial runway. Avoid Webvan's mistake of burning through $1.2 billion by scaling too quickly.

• Build a Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Focus on core features that solve the main problem. Dropbox launched with a simple explainer video to gauge demand before creating an actual product.

The Legal Stuff

• Incorporate Your Business: Decide whether to be an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp. Each choice affects taxes and investment potential.
• Protect Your Intellectual Property: File for trademarks and patents as needed. This protects your brand and can be a valuable asset.

Marketing and Growth

• Define Your Brand: Your brand is more than a logo; it's how you communicate value. Conduct a brand workshop to clarify your message.
• Plan Your Go-to-Market Strategy: Outline customer acquisition channels. Airbnb effectively used Craigslist to reach budget-conscious travelers.

What Not To Do

Avoid perfectionism. Many founders stall trying to perfect their product before launch. Remember, your MVP is a test, not the final product.

Actionable Takeaways

• Validate your idea by conducting customer interviews and market research.
• Test your business model with real-world feedback before scaling.
• Launch a simple MVP to gather data and iterate quickly.
• Interview potential customers to understand their needs and pain points.
• Build a financial plan that ensures you have runway for at least a year.

Final Thoughts

Every startup journey is unique, but a solid checklist can make the chaotic process more manageable. Grab your list, tick off those 47 items, and launch with confidence that you're not just another statistic.