Ravi teja Nadakudity’s Post

How I Help Startups Grow: from Idealization 💡 to monetization 💰 Just imagine collaborating with a small startup, grappling with tight budgets and fierce competition. I go through this most times, but despite the hurdles, remained undeterred, forging ahead with innovative solutions and unwavering determination. Throughout this journey, I've come to understand that resilience is paramount, teamwork is indispensable, and success is attainable. Here are 5 strategies that have helped me : 1. Make a Plan: Create a clear strategy for growth, focusing on how to attract more customers. 2. Get More Customers: Use different ways like social media or ads to bring in new customers. 3. Keep Customers Happy: Make sure current customers are happy so they keep coming back. 4. Look at the Numbers: Use data to see what's working and what needs to change. 5. Keep Trying New Things: Test out new ideas and see what works best to keep growing. Hey! Don't forget to embrace challenges as stepping stones for progress. Believe me, they're inevitable. Cheers to all the startup growth experts out there – let's continue scripting our triumphs, one milestone at a time! Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments! 🚀 Give a ❤️ if this helps Eno Umoka #StartupGrowth #LinkedinchallengewithInneh

If you don’t have any revenue or historical business data, how can you make forecasts to show investors? Olena Petrosyuk of Klevu brings her 14 years of experience to bear in this article about essential KPIs and forecasting best practices for startup founders courting investors. Financial forecasting is one tool startups may use to show they’ve already gained traction and where they expect to be within the next few years. The idea is to show sustainable growth and scalability based on existing business data, but that can be challenging for pre-seed and seed startups with few customers. That doesn’t mean early-stage startups can’t use a financial forecast to impress investors, though. The trick is to pick out the most essential KPIs to focus on in the model. Why? A financial forecast is more than just a sheet saying you’ll make $X in a year. “When it comes to early-stage financial forecasting, it’s not just the numbers that investors care about. What matters is the logic and thinking behind the numbers—how realistic and well-thought-out your assumptions are and how well they connect to your future strategy and growth plan. In this case, the financial model becomes just another (albeit critical) step to persuade investors you have the suitable skill set and thinking to build a successful business.” In today's blog post on HubSpot for Startups, get more insights into the benefits of and best practices for financial forecasting as an early-stage startup. #startups #fundraising #venturecapital

Building 0-1 startups over the years has taught me one thing that really stuck: don't fall for the trap of optimizing for vanity metrics. In my first company, being a ZIRP scaleup, we followed the trend and grew it to over 200 people. Whenever I dropped that number, people would walk away all wowed and impressed. Not gonna lie, it felt pretty good at first. But then it really started bugging me. I mean, if folks are surprised by how many people your company has, doesn't that kinda suggest you might not be as lean as you could be? Fast forward to now. When I mention we're just 5 people at Aomni, people are surprised for a totally different reason. They're like, "Whoa, you've done all that with such a small team?" That's the kind of reaction I'm aiming for these days. There are many other counterintuitive things like this, but those are for another day. The key takeaway? Ground yourself on strong principles, ignore the noise. Trends come and go but principles stay forever. Also do hashtags in LinkedIn work? Let's try it out.. #startuplife #buildinginpublic

🚀 **Navigating the Startup Journey: Unraveling the First-Year Challenges** 🌐 Embarking on a startup journey is exhilarating, yet statistics reveal a stark reality—many startups face hurdles in their first year. Let's delve into why this happens and how we can navigate these challenges together. 💡 **1. Lack of Market Understanding:** Success begins with knowing your market. Many startups falter by underestimating the importance of in-depth market research. Understanding your audience, competition, and industry trends is the cornerstone of sustainable growth. **2. Insufficient Planning:** A solid business plan isn't just a formality; it's a roadmap. Startups often face difficulties due to inadequate planning. From financial projections to contingency plans, meticulous planning is the key to weathering uncertainties. **3. Funding Mismanagement:** Money matters, and how you manage it is critical. Mismanagement of funds, whether through overspending or underestimating expenses, can lead to cash flow issues. Prudent financial management is imperative for survival. **4. Failure to Pivot:** Rigidity can be detrimental. Startups need to adapt to changing circumstances and feedback. Failure to pivot in response to market dynamics can result in a misalignment between your offerings and what the market demands. **5. Team Dynamics:** Your team is the backbone of your startup. Disruptions in team dynamics, lack of communication, or skill gaps can hinder progress. Cultivate a collaborative culture that fosters innovation and resilience. **6. Marketing Missteps:** Visibility is key, but it's not just about being seen. Ineffective marketing strategies or a failure to communicate your unique value proposition can lead to customer acquisition challenges. 🌟 **The Way Forward:** Success is a journey, not a destination. Learning from these common pitfalls, startups can proactively address challenges, pivot when necessary, and build a foundation for sustainable growth. Let's initiate a dialogue. Share your insights on startup challenges and strategies for overcoming them. Together, we can foster an ecosystem where startups thrive! 🚀💼 #startupjourney #EntrepreneurialChallenges #businessresilience #startupsuccess #marketing #marketingconsultant #business

🚀 Rethinking Founder/Market Fit 🌐 🔍 The Common Belief: Many swear by the idea that founders must have direct work experience in the industry they're disrupting for a successful startup journey. 🌟 But hold on, let's challenge that notion! 💡 What the Data Reveals: 📊 Research on almost 300 unicorns shows less than 50% of founding CEOs and 30% of founding CXOs had direct work experience related to their startups. 🤯 It's not a significant advantage! 🚧 Industry Breakdown: 🏥 Healthcare: 75% founders had relevant experience. 🏢 Enterprise Tech: Only 40%. 🛍️ Consumer: Just 30%. 👉 The Double-Edged Sword: While relevant work experience is a solid foundation, it's not the be-all and end-all. 🛠️ Outsiders, unencumbered by industry norms, can bring disruptive solutions and challenge the status quo. 🔄 Learning Agility: In the rapidly changing tech landscape, learning agility trumps specific knowledge. The ability to adapt and innovate is the real game-changer. 🔥 Embracing the Misfit Mentality: Sometimes, the most groundbreaking ideas come from 'misfit' founders who see opportunities others miss. 🚀 Embrace the unconventional and redefine the market! Let's spark a conversation! What's your take on founder/market fit? 🤔💬 #StartupInsights #FounderFit #InnovationMindset

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 🔹 Exploding Topics reports that the success rate for first-time founders is 18%. 🔹 According to the Bureau of Labor, two out of every ten new businesses fail within their first year of operation. 🔹 CB Insights estimates that just 1% of startups grow to become unicorn companies like Uber, Airbnb, Slack, Stripe, and Docker. Therefore, a holistic approach to creating a new startup must be considered in great detail. 𝐒𝐨, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 15 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩: ✅ Validate Your Idea ✅ Stay Agile and Adapt ✅ Prepare for Challenges ✅ Focus on Sustainability ✅ Prioritize Customer Feedback ✅ Network and Seek Mentorship ✅ Strategize for Effective Scaling ✅ Develop a Solid Business Plan ✅ Protect Your Intellectual Property ✅ Embrace Lean Startup Principles ✅ Focus on Building a Strong Team ✅ Effective Cash Flow Management ✅ Understand Your Legal Obligations ✅ Build a Strong Brand and Online Presence ✅ Embrace Technology for Operational Efficiency Which of the following pieces of advice do you find most helpful? #itcraft #startups #tips

🚦 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲: 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 🚦 Embarking on the startup adventure often involves taking risks and, yes, making mistakes. It's part of the journey, a process of learning and evolving. But here's a crucial insight: it's okay to make mistakes, but it's not okay to prolong them. ⚠️ 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 Every startup encounters challenges, but ignoring red flags can lead to more significant problems that jeopardize the very foundation of your venture. Here are some red flags to watch for: 🚩 Financial Strain: Consistent financial challenges. 🚩 Lack of Market Fit: Struggling to gain traction. 🚩 Team Dysfunction: Internal conflicts impacting progress. 🚩 Stagnant Growth: Flat or declining growth. 🚩 Customer Dissatisfaction: Negative feedback or declining satisfaction. 🛑 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩: 𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 Recognizing these red flags is the first step; the next is knowing when to pause, reassess, and possibly pivot. Successful startups are agile, able to adapt to changing circumstances. Don't view a strategic pause as failure; consider it a moment to gather insights and emerge stronger. At Elda, we understand the dynamics of the startup landscape. Our seasoned team recognizes the fine line between necessary challenges and warning signs. If you're navigating uncertainties, reach out. Let's strategize and ensure your startup journey leads to sustainable success. #EldaCapital #PrivateEquity #VentureCapital #FinancialHolding

Founders, you're too close to your company to see it clearly. That's a good thing in so many ways- that company is your pride and joy (am I allowed to say it’s your baby?) You dreamed it up, you've bled and sweat for it, and you know it inside and out. But it also means you can't see it like an outsider can. Listen: Your company needs the go-hard-or-go-home ride-or-die. (That’s you.) It also needs a fair and unbiased, data-driven, objective outsider. (That’s me.) Here’s what I can see that you can’t: 🔍 The Blind Spots: Being deeply in the weeds can make it challenging to see beyond the immediate- or be able to pivot when you need to. I’m here to spotlight those areas you might overlook, revealing both hidden challenges and untapped opportunities. 🎭 Imposter Syndrome: It sneaks up on many founders, clouding your perception of your own value. I bring the assurance and perspective needed to navigate and conquer those doubts. 🧬 Science and Data Gaps: Without a science background, it’s tricky to know what’s missing. My expertise bridges that gap, ensuring your startup is as robust in its data as it is in its vision. 💡 Objective Strategy Feedback: It's tough when advice doesn’t echo your initial thoughts. But the input isn’t personal—it’s a tool to forge a stronger, more resilient company. When you pair your unstoppable drive with a clear, objective perspective, you can take your startup from innovative to revolutionary. Ready to see your vision with fresh eyes? Let's make it happen. #FractionalCSO #ScienceInBusiness #Startups

"Even companies that develop successful products have an 80% chance of failure." This is from a McKinsey Insights article.  It is followed by 3000 words of generic content (GenAI anyone?) and some interesting research statistics that don’t help you know what to do next. There are so many articles and posts about how to do startups better.  Why aren’t they helping us all get better? 🤷♀️ Simple. 📍 Because they don’t include 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭–𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, complete with the pitfalls and what people did to get through them. We have become 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 - replacing “insights” with “digests”--quick summaries of what other people said. Not helpful for building a mental model of how to increase our chances of startup success. My co-authors and I challenged ourselves in writing our newly published book 📚 𝘚𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦 📚 to be insightful, not generic. Instead of just summarizing how the winners won, we focused on the hard hitting waves that they had to overcome along the way, what went wrong and how they fixed it, and drew insights from those stories, and from our experiences as operators in businesses from startups to mega-cap companies. In our book, we talk about the problems startups face 🚩 when Old Guard meets New Guard 👥. 🚩 when the solution is the focus, instead of the problem 🔦 🚩 when fire fighting is rewarded 🔥 Scaling isn't a PowerPoint exercise of summarizing information into bullet points. It's daily, relentless execution on sustainable growth decisions. It's about making tough calls with imperfect information. It's about evolving as a leader when every fiber of your being resists change. 💪 Want the unvarnished truth about scaling? Get it here https://a.co/d/5F4pmSn. 🚀 #ScaleUpReality #StartupTruths #SailToScale #techstartups #businessstrategy #scaling https://a.co/d/5F4pmSn

"Grow fast or Die slow" In the adrenaline-fueled world of startups, "grow fast or die slow" is often the mantra. But is rapid growth always the best path? The Growth Dilemma: Rapid growth can be intoxicating. It attracts investors, generates buzz, and can lead to market dominance. However, it also comes with significant risks: ↳ Cash burn: Scaling quickly often means spending faster than you earn. ↳ Cultural erosion: Rapid hiring can dilute company culture and values. ↳ Quality compromise: Speed can lead to cutting corners on product or service quality. ↳ Operational strain: Systems and processes may buckle under rapid expansion. The Case for Sustainable Growth: Sustainable growth, while slower, offers several advantages: ↳ Financial stability: Better cash flow management and reduced reliance on external funding. ↳ Strong foundation: Time to build robust systems, processes, and company culture. ↳ Customer focus: Opportunity to refine product-market fit and build lasting customer relationships. ↳ Team development: Ability to nurture talent and build a cohesive, high-performing team. Finding the Sweet Spot: The key is to find a growth rate that pushes your startup forward without pushing it off a cliff. Here's how: ➥ Set realistic milestones: Break your long-term vision into achievable short-term goals. ➥ Prioritize profitability: Focus on unit economics and sustainable revenue models early on. ➥ Invest in scalable infrastructure: Build systems that can handle growth without constant overhauls. ➥ Cultivate a learning culture: Encourage continuous improvement and adaptability. ➥ Listen to your customers: Let customer needs and feedback guide your growth, not just market opportunities. Remember: Growth at all costs is a dangerous game. The most successful startups can scale their impact while maintaining their core strengths and values. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. How do you balance ambition with stability in your startup journey? PS: I help founders, CXOs and Professionals grow and build sustainable startups. Looking for guidance? Book a mentorship session on ADPList: https://lnkd.in/g8HdRhYm #SustainableGrowth #StartupStrategy #ScaleUp #Growth