fake it 'til you make it: a guide to starting up
TRANSCRIPT
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How to Look Professional When You’re Just
Starting Up#FakeItToMakeIt
Fake It … 'Til You Make It
About Your Hosts…
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There’s no shame in being in the early-stages of starting up…
But you need to look professional in order to: •Gain credibility•Earn investor confidence•Build your customer base•Attract talent
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Presentation Overview
• What is startup infrastructure?
• How to build your infrastructure
• Finding startup partners
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What Is Startup Infrastructure?
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• Solid foundation for a “real” company to grow on
• Practical and flexible• Systems to scale• Risk minimizer• Increase efficiency• Avoid mistakes
Building Your Startup Ecosystem
• Finding the right professional services firm
• Look for ancillary value: connections, early-stage experience, someone you like and trust
• Increase your network = increase your credibility
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Essential Areas for Startup Infrastructure
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Accounting Infrastructure
• Accounting platform• AP/AR system• Professional invoices• Expense reporting • Banking solution – separate
accounts• Integrated solution
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Financial Infrastructure
• Financial projections• Budgeting• Cash management• Financial controls• Financial reporting• GAAP compliance
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Regulatory Infrastructure
• Establish legal entity• Valuation• Understand tax obligations• Quarterly taxes• Payroll taxes
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HR Infrastructure – What is it?
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• Recruiting and employee retention
• Payroll• Employee benefits• Insurance (health and
workers’ comp)• HRIS• HR consulting & best
practices
Workplace Infrastructure – Big picture
Provide your team with a work environmentthat ensures
innovation & productivity while optimizing
capital efficiency and flexibility
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Workplace – The Questions to Ask • How predictable is our growth/headcount trajectory?• Where do my employees & contractors live?• How critical is innovation & creativity in our line of business?• Do I want my team to be integrated into a community of potential
partners, customers, and hires?• How hard will it be for me to attract the talent I need?• What are our privacy / technology needs?
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Legal Infrastructure
• Contracts• Documents and doc management• Tech licensing• Patents• IP• M&A
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Sales and Marketing Infrastructure
• Everything is brand• Design: website, logo• Email• Business cards• Logo
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Q&A and Thank You!
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Sirk Rohwww.earlygrowthfinancialservices.comsroh@earlygrowthfinancialservices.com415.234.3437@EarlyGrowthFS
Jesse [email protected] us @TriNet and @JesseFreese
Blair [email protected] us @CrossCampusLA