So you want to build a web startup?

(14 slides that might save your life)

Where do you start?

• Business plan?

• Angel investment?

• Catchy domain name?

• Register a company?

Stop

Lessons learned from 20+ startups I worked with

You need to validate you idea first

And you better do it cheaper

Just to save some money for the real fun

Why do you need a prototype?

• To validate that your idea works

• To show it to your users/clients

• Early feedback

• To show something to angels/VCs

• Working product vs words/papers factor

• To explain to your Mom how are you gonnamake money

Can I do it myself?

• Sure!

– Learn some new technologies

– Buildsomethingwhile learning

– Don’t trust your friends when they say that your site looks unprofessional

– Repeat

Can I hire my some geek from my college?

• Sure

– Be ready to explain how cool is your idea

– Be ready to listen that its easy to do that for couple days

– In a few days get incomplete/not even started/ done wrong project

• Motivation matters!

Can I hire offshore devs from India?

• No, you just cant. Go Philippines, Eastern Europe, find local dude, just not go to India or Pakistan. There are some good guys there but you will never get them, while loose all urmoney on cheap $10/hour stuff.

• Again remember simple rule: No India or Pakistan guys. You better save money for Goa vacation there!

Leave it for profi

• Find company that offer prototyping services

• Agree on fix-price project

• Set strict deadlines

• Ask to help you with specifications if needed!

• Find reliable company with track of records!

What will you get?

• Working prototype delivered on time/budget.

• Support/updates if needed

• Help with stuffing/hiring once funded.

• Other partnership options!

Start Smart!

OBS Labs

www.obsgroup.biz