Startup Readiness Check - Where do I stand as a founder?

Your Progress

0% (0/30 Points)

0

Pre-Startup Phase

You are still in the idea validation phase. Focus: Validate problem, develop MVP, find first customers.

10

Core Areas

30

Max. Points

100%

Free

🎯

1. Problem & Solution

0/3

✅ The Problem

I can explain the problem in one sentence

I know at least 10 people who have this problem

The problem costs people time, money or nerves

Existing solutions are insufficient/cumbersome/expensive

✅ The Solution

My solution can be explained in one sentence

My solution is 10x better than alternatives (not just 10%)

I have a functional MVP (Build-Measure-Learn)

At least 5 people would pay for my solution today

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Validate problem → Talk to 20+ potential customers
Score 2: Refine solution → Build and test MVP
Score 3: Scale → Acquire first paying customers

💡 Need technical support?

If you need help with MVP development: Learn more about our development services

👥

2. Target Group & Market

0/3

✅ Target Customers

I can specifically describe my target group (age, profession, behavior)

I have already talked to 20+ potential customers (Lean Validation)

80%+ confirm they have the problem

I know my customers' pain points in detail

✅ Market Size & Competition

I know the size of my market (rough estimate)

The market is growing or stable (not shrinking)

I know my 3 most important competitors

I know what differentiates me from the competition

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Market research → Conduct customer interviews, analyze competition
Score 2: Positioning → Sharpen USP, develop pricing strategy
Score 3: Go-to-Market → Test first marketing channels

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3. Business Model & Finances

0/3

✅ Revenue Model

I know exactly how I make money (subscription, sales, etc.)

I have a clear pricing strategy

I can estimate my revenue per customer

I have already generated first revenue

✅ Costs & Break-Even

I know my main cost factors

I know when I'll reach break-even

I have a realistic financial plan for 12 months

I track important KPIs (CAC, LTV, Burn Rate)

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Business model → Define revenue sources, test initial prices
Score 2: Financial planning → Detailed cost calculation, define KPIs
Score 3: Optimization → Improve unit economics, finance growth

💻

4. Product & Technology

0/3

✅ MVP Status

I have a functional MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

My product solves the core problem (no nice-to-have features)

I practice Build-Measure-Learn cycles (not waterfall)

I continuously collect user feedback and iterate

✅ Tech Stack & Scalability

My tech stack is proven and scalable

I have a plan for technical scaling

I use cloud infrastructure (AWS, Firebase, etc.)

My code is maintainable and documented

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Build MVP → Develop simplest version of the product
Score 2: User testing → Continuously collect feedback and iterate
Score 3: Tech optimization → Performance, scaling, code quality

👨‍💼

5. Team & Organization

0/3

✅ Founding Team

I have the most important skills covered (tech, business, marketing)

All co-founders are full-time committed

We have agreed on clear equity distribution

We have a shareholders' agreement with vesting

✅ Organization & Processes

We have clear roles and responsibilities

We have regular team meetings and updates

We use modern collaboration tools

We have a plan for team expansion

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Team formation → Find co-founders, skills gap analysis
Score 2: Formalization → Shareholders agreement, equity, processes
Score 3: Scaling → Hiring plan, company culture, advisory board

📈

6. Marketing & Sales

0/3

✅ Go-to-Market Strategy

I have a clear go-to-market strategy

I know where my customers are (online channels, events, etc.)

I have already tested first marketing channels

I can estimate my Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC)

✅ Sales & Traction

I have a structured sales process

I have already acquired first paying customers

I track important marketing KPIs (conversion, retention, etc.)

I have organic growth (referrals, word-of-mouth)

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Marketing setup → Landing page, test first channels
Score 2: Sales optimization → Refine process, optimize conversion
Score 3: Scaling → Expand successful channels, grow team

⚖️

7. Legal & Risks

0/3

✅ Legal Basics

I have chosen an appropriate legal form

Imprint, privacy policy and terms of service are in place

I am GDPR compliant (cookie consent, etc.)

All important contracts are legally secure

✅ Risk Management

I have identified the most important business risks

I have appropriate insurance coverage

Intellectual property is protected (trademarks, domains, etc.)

I have a plan for worst-case scenarios

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Legal setup → Legal form, imprint, GDPR basics
Score 2: Contracts → Terms of service, customer contracts, IP protection
Score 3: Risk management → Insurance, compliance, monitoring

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8. Smart Funding

0/3

✅ Bootstrap & Revenue-Based

I have tried to go as long as possible without external funding

I am already generating first revenues

I know my monthly costs and burn rate

I have a financial plan for the next 18 months

✅ External Funding

I know different funding options (3F, Angel, VC, etc.)

I know when the right time for funding is

I have prepared a pitch deck and financial model

I understand the consequences of equity dilution

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Bootstrap → Minimize costs, generate first revenue
Score 2: Funding-ready → Financial model, pitch deck, investor relations
Score 3: Growth capital → Strategic investors, finance scaling

🔧

9. Operations & Scaling

0/3

✅ Processes & Systems

I have standardized business processes

I use automation tools (CRM, accounting, etc.)

I track important KPIs and create regular reports

My systems can scale with growth

✅ Quality & Customer Success

I have established quality assurance processes

I measure and continuously improve customer satisfaction

I have structured customer support

My customer retention rate is >80%

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Operations setup → Basic processes, tools, first KPIs
Score 2: Automation → Optimize workflows, prepare for scaling
Score 3: Scale operations → Expand team, optimize systems

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10. Exit & Long-term Strategy

0/3

✅ Vision & Goals

I have a clear 5-year vision for my startup

I know whether I want to run the company long-term or sell it

I have realistic milestones for the next 2 years

I have a plan for international expansion

✅ Exit Options

I know different exit strategies (IPO, acquisition, MBO)

I build the company to be attractive to buyers

I understand startup valuation methods

I have initial contacts with potential strategic partners

📋 What to do next?

Score 0-1: Vision → Develop long-term strategy, define goals
Score 2: Strategy → Plan expansion, evaluate exit options
Score 3: Execution → Strategic partnerships, prepare exit

📚 Further Resources

For deeper insights into startup fundamentals, these proven business books are highly recommended: The Lean Startup (Eric Ries), The Mom Test (Rob Fitzpatrick), and Zero to One (Peter Thiel).

🎯 Your Startup Assessment

0/30 Points

Your current score

Pre-Startup

Your level

Validate problem

Next step

💬 Book free consultation

Startup Readiness Check - Where do I stand as a founder?

Your Progress

Pre-Startup Phase

1. Problem & Solution

✅ The Problem

✅ The Solution

📋 What to do next?

💡 Need technical support?

2. Target Group & Market

✅ Target Customers

✅ Market Size & Competition

📋 What to do next?

3. Business Model & Finances

✅ Revenue Model

✅ Costs & Break-Even

📋 What to do next?

4. Product & Technology

✅ MVP Status

✅ Tech Stack & Scalability

📋 What to do next?

5. Team & Organization

✅ Founding Team

✅ Organization & Processes

📋 What to do next?

6. Marketing & Sales

✅ Go-to-Market Strategy

✅ Sales & Traction

📋 What to do next?

7. Legal & Risks

✅ Legal Basics

✅ Risk Management

📋 What to do next?

8. Smart Funding

✅ Bootstrap & Revenue-Based

✅ External Funding

📋 What to do next?

9. Operations & Scaling

✅ Processes & Systems

✅ Quality & Customer Success

📋 What to do next?

10. Exit & Long-term Strategy

✅ Vision & Goals

✅ Exit Options

📋 What to do next?

📚 Further Resources

🎯 Your Startup Assessment

Your Partner for Professional Software Development