VAULT Startup Hub Resources

With 60+ years of industry experience, we've gathered extensive knowledge and resources from industry leaders. From fundraising and operational templates to investor best practices, early stage hiring advice, marketing tools and so much more, our platform is regularly updated with all the essential resources you need to jumpstart your startup!

Startup Readiness

Welcome to Startup Readiness, the essential resource section for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to turn their ideas into successful ventures. This section is designed to guide you through the crucial early stages of the startup journey, providing valuable insights and information to help you lay a strong foundation for your business.

Before you embark on the path of entrepreneurship, it's vital to have a clear understanding of what it takes to build a startup from the ground up. In this section, we address the questions and concerns that commonly arise during the pre-startup phase, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to navigate you through the challenges ahead.

Our curated articles, expert advice, and practical resources provide actionable guidance, helping you make informed decisions and minimize risks as you prepare to launch your startup.

5 Thinks You Need to Learn Before Launching a Startup

Startups are romanticized, and sometimes it’s misleading for people who want to launch their own company.

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8 Key Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

From relentless determination to embracing failure as a stepping stone to success, this article uncovers the secrets behind building a thriving business and achieving your dreams.

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*Please note that the information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you require legal advice or have questions concerning a legal matter, please consult with a licensed attorney who is qualified to provide advice on such matters.

Fueling the future: Why Fundraising is vital for Startup Success

“The last 10 percent it takes to launch something takes as much energy as the first 90 percent.” - Rob Kalin, Co-founder of Etsy

In today’s economy, businesses rely on financing from a variety of sources to get off the ground. These include personal savings, friends and family, loans, angel investors and venture capitalists. This is a big list and casts a wide net of options that in their own way bring opportunity and risk.

It is important to remember that all funding, regardless of its character, comes with strings attached. Some strings are better than others but there are always strings. Getting your venture may require you to clean out your savings account or max out your credit cards. This is common, but in addition to the obvious risk, the string attached is the opportunity of using that money for something else. A “real” entrepreneur sees investing in themself as a risk worth taking.

Fundraising for your venture is a journey. Like any other journey, you have to plan accordingly for the trip by mapping stops along the way to gas up, get a bite to eat, sightsee and catch some sleep. The point here is that fundraising is not a multiple choice question, but rather it’s an essay. You can’t just drive to Florida without first traveling through Alabama or Georgia. You have to start at the bottom and work your way up in order to gain credibility at each step. You can’t begin to raise venture financing before you have risked some or most of your own money. VC’s are looking for the entrepreneur who is “all in” and has no option but to be successful. This is the motivation that helps drive success.

5 reasons why fundraising is critical for your startup
Launching the business.

Startups need funding to cover the costs of developing their product or service, creating a brand and website, and getting the necessary licenses and permits to operate.

Hiring employees.

As startups begin to grow, they need to hire employees to help build and scale the business. Funding can be used to cover the costs of salaries, benefits and other expenses associated with the hiring process.

Marketing & advertising.

Startups need to market and promote their products or services to attract customers and generate revenue. Funding can be used to pay for advertising, social media campaigns and other marketing initiatives.

Scaling the business.

Once a startup has proven its business model and is generating revenue, it may need additional funding to scale the business. This can include expanding into new markets, developing new products or services or hiring additional employees.

Attracting investors.

Raising funding from investors can help startups attract more investors and partners in the future. Investors look for startups with a strong team, a compelling vision, and a clear path to profitability, and funding can help startups demonstrate these qualities.

5 reasons why fundraising is critical for your startup
Launching the business.

Startups need funding to cover the costs of developing their product or service, creating a brand and website, and getting the necessary licenses and permits to operate.

Hiring employees.

As startups begin to grow, they need to hire employees to help build and scale the business. Funding can be used to cover the costs of salaries, benefits and other expenses associated with the hiring process.

Marketing & advertising.

Startups need to market and promote their products or services to attract customers and generate revenue. Funding can be used to pay for advertising, social media campaigns and other marketing initiatives.

Scaling the business.

Once a startup has proven its business model and is generating revenue, it may need additional funding to scale the business. This can include expanding into new markets, developing new products or services or hiring additional employees.

Attracting investors.

Raising funding from investors can help startups attract more investors and partners in the future. Investors look for startups with a strong team, a compelling vision, and a clear path to profitability, and funding can help startups demonstrate these qualities.

Approach

Fundraising can be challenging, especially for first-time founders or entrepreneurs. That's why we've created a collection of helpful resources to guide you through the initial steps of the fundraising process and increase your chances of success. Included below are tips and strategies for nailing your first meeting with an investor, clear definitions of key fundraising terms that every entrepreneur should know, as well as navigating the due diligence process.

That first meeting

How to maximize your first meeting with a potential investor.

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Tips for a successful first meeting with an investor

Increase your chances of having a great first meeting by following these nine tips, courtesy of FasterCapital.

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Financial Resources*

Looking for support and resources to help manage the financial element of your startup? You've come to the right place. Here you will find information for entrepreneurs, startups and businesses looking to raise funds and grow their financial resources. We are committed to empowering entrepreneurs and businesses with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed financially and achieve their goals. Be sure to check back frequently as we continue to add additional content.

Pre and Post Money Valuation Overview & Calculator

When it comes to evaluating early-stage companies, the Pre-Money Valuation refers to how much a company’s equity is worth prior to raising capital in an upcoming round of financing. Once the financing round and terms are finalized, the implied value of the company’s equity rises by the amount of funding raised, resulting in the Post-Money Valuation.

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Mutual Non Disclosure Agreement Sample

This is a sample confidentiality agreement that allows two parties (businesses or individuals to share and receive proprietary information.

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*Please note that the information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you require legal advice or have questions concerning a legal matter, please consult with a licensed attorney who is qualified to provide advice on such matters.

Forecasting Models

Success is a beautiful thing. And one way to get there is to properly plan for it. VAULT believes that forecasting models are especially important for startups because they allow business owners to plan for financial and strategic success, manage cash flow, attract investments and mitigate risks. Here are a few forecasting models to review for your own startup.

Forecasting Model (Subscriptions with Sample) 36 months 

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Forecasting Model (Widgets with Sample) 36 months

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Investors

We cannot emphasize the importance of being properly educated when it comes to investors. In this section, we provide valuable insights into the fundraising process and the diverse range of investors you may encounter on your entrepreneurial journey. As an entrepreneur, securing investments is a crucial part of scaling your business. VAULT is here to provide you with the knowledge and resources you need to navigate the investor landscape successfully. Have a specific question about the VC process, crowdfunding, incubators or accelerators? Send us an email at hello@vaultinnovation.com. We're here to help you succeed.

Unlocking the investor landscape: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Different Types of Investors

Investing is a crucial part of any business's growth strategy, and knowing the different types of investors available can help entrepreneurs find the right match for their company.

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Learn more about the VC process here

Venture capital (VC) refers to a form of private equity financing in which investors provide capital to early-stage, high-potential companies in exchange for an ownership stake in the business.

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500 Global

Venture Capital

500 Global is a venture capital firm with more than $2.7 billion in assets under management that invests in founders building fast-growing technology companies. We focus on markets where technology, innovation, and capital can unlock long-term value and drive economic growth.

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Small Business Administration (SBA)

Loans/Grants

This is a government agency that provides funding, loans and other resources to small businesses, including tech startups. Startups can explore SBA loan programs and resources to find funding options.

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SBIR/STTR Grants

Loans/Grants

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs provide federal grants to small businesses, including tech startups, for research and development projects.

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SeedInvest

Crowdfunding

This is a crowdfunding platform that connects startups with accredited investors. Startups can use SeedInvest to create a fundraising campaign, pitch their company and raise capital from a large pool of investors.

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Kickstarter

Crowdfunding

A crowdfunding platform that allows startups to raise capital for creative projects. Startups can use Kickstarter to create a campaign, set a fundraising goal, and receive funding from backers in exchange for rewards.

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Indiegogo

Crowdfunding

This crowdfunding platform allows startups to raise capital for creative projects. Startups can use Indiegogo to create a campaign, set a fundraising goal and receive funding from backers in exchange for rewards

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Republic

Crowdfunding

Republic is a private investing platform for investors seeking high growth potential. Republic curates private investing opportunities with high-growth potential across startups, gaming, real estate, and crypto.

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Y Combinator

Incubators/Accelerators

This is a startup accelerator program that provides funding, mentorship and resources to early stage startups. Startups can apply to the program and receive funding and support in exchange for equity.

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Techstars

Incubators/Accelerators

Known as one of the largest pre-seed investors in the world, Techstars supports many of the world’s best entrepreneurs, with access to capital, mentoring, finding customers, hiring talent, choosing the right infrastructure, and much more.

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Business incubators and economic development organizations

Incubators/Accelerators

Many cities and regions have business incubators and economic development organizations that provide resources and support to startups. These organizations may offer grants, loans or other forms of assistance.

Additional Resources

In today’s economy, businesses rely on financing from a variety of sources to get off the ground. These include personal savings, friends and family, loans, angel investors and venture capitalists. This is a big list and casts a wide net of options that bring opportunity and risk.

Wellfound (formerly AngelList)

A platform that connects startups with investors and job seekers. Startups can use this platform to create a profile, post a job listing and browse resumes of job seekers.

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Crunchbase

Startups can use Crunchbase to research potential investors and track funding rounds in their industry.

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Blog Posts/Articles

This section offers informative blog posts and invaluable resources that arm startups with the knowledge and tactics needed to secure the investments that will fuel their growth journey.

From Seed to Success: Navigating the Early Stage Fundraising Landscape

Are you an entrepreneur with a brilliant idea but struggling to secure funding for your venture? Look no further! In the competitive world of early-stage fundraising, it's crucial to understand the landscape and navigate it with finesse.

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Creating a team of innovative thinkers.

“If you hire good people, give them good jobs, and pay them good wages, generally something good is going to happen.” - James Sinegal, Co-founder and former CEO of Costco Wholesale Corporation

Recruiting is important for tech startups because having the right team can make or break a startup’s success. Why? Because all startups rely heavily on their product or service and that means having a strong team of developers, designers and engineers is crucial for building a high-quality product that meets customer needs.

Tech startups are often trying to solve complex problems or disrupt existing industries. As a startup’s journey begins to unfold and the business begins to scale, it will need to hire additional employees in various departments (i.e., sales, marketing and operations).

In addition to these points, startups, like most businesses, almost always often have a strong culture and values that they want to uphold. Recruiting employees who align with these values can help build a cohesive team that is committed to the company’s mission.

Job Roles & Descriptions

In the fast-paced world of startups, the success of a company often hinges on the individual(s) who work there. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking to build a team or an individual looking to join a startup, understanding the different roles and their functions can help you make informed decisions. Here we will delve into the various job roles that are crucial to the overall success of the company.

The Purpose and Positioning of Job Roles

Understanding job roles enables startups to allocate resources effectively, work efficiently as a team and plan for future growth.

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Job Posts

Attracting the right talent to your startup starts with crafting a compelling job post. This section will provide you with the tools and insights you need to write a job post that stands out and attracts the right candidate. We’ll also share tips on how to communicate your company culture and values, and provide best practices for promoting your job post across different platforms.

How do you write a winning job post? Start here.

You’re hiring. You know the role. You even know the compensation plan. But how in the world are you supposed to find the right candidate? Well, it all starts with a well-written job post.

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Additional Resources

Here are some recruiting resources that can help startups attract and retain talented employees.

Coworking Spaces

Visiting coworking spaces can be an essential step for startups looking to grow and succeed. They provide networking opportunities, access to resources, and allow for improved productivity and exposure to different industries. Find a coworking space near you by visiting popular sites like wework.com or coworker.com.

Networking Events

Attending networking events in your industry can provide a valuable opportunity for startups to meet new people and build relationships with potential clients, partners, investors and mentors. Building these relationships can spread brand awareness on your product or brand and ultimately expand your network. To find a networking event near you, it is helpful to search online resources and social media. It is also important to attend trade shows and conferences in your industry. Joining professional organizations (i.e., chambers of commerce, industry associations and business groups) will also provide you with great opportunities for networking and professional development.

Wellfound (formerly AngelList)

A platform that connects startups with investors and job seekers. Startups can use this platform to create a profile, post a job listing and browse resumes of job seekers.

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LinkedIn

A professional networking platform that allows startups to post job listings, search for candidates and view candidates’ profiles and resumes. Paid advertising options are also available.

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Glassdoor

A job search and employer review platform that allows startups to post job listings and view candidates’ profiles and resumes. This platform also provides information regarding salaries, benefits and company culture based on previous employee reviews.

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Hired

A platform that connects startups with pre-vetted job candidates in tech roles. Startups can use Hired to post job listings and receive a curated list of qualified candidates

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Dice

A job board and career hub for technology professionals. Startups can use Dice to post job listings and search for candidates with specific technology skills.

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Triplebyte

A technical recruiting platform that helps startups hire engineers. Triplebyte offers a technical assessment process and pre-vets candidates before connecting them with startups

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GitHub

A platform for software developers to collaborate on coding projects. Startups can use GitHub to search for developers with specific coding skills and view their coding contributions.

Stack Overflow

A community-driven question and answer platform for software developers. Startups can use Stack Overflow to search for developers with specific coding skills and view their answers to technical questions.

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TechMeetups

A global network of tech communities that hosts events and provides resources for startups, including job postings and networking opportunities.

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GrowthHackers

This is a community of entrepreneurs and marketers who share tips and strategies for growing startups. It’s a great resource for startups looking to learn from others’ experiences and get feedback on their marketing efforts.

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Sales and Startup Growth

“Most people think ‘selling’ is the same as ‘talking’. But the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job.” - Roy Bartell

Sales is the primary driver of revenue for tech-enabled startups – a crucial factor for the success and sustainability of the business. In fact, without sales, startups cannot sustain themselves or grow.

By building a solid customer base, startups can also generate repeat business, referrals and positive word-of-mouth. Generating sales is also a key indicator of product-market fit and proves that the business model is viable. This is especially important for attracting investors.

In the tech industry, competition is fierce. Having a strong sales strategy can give startups a competitive advantage by attracting customers, generating revenue, and establishing a strong brand.

Another important element of the sales process is the feedback loop. Sales interactions can provide valuable feedback about customers’ needs, preferences and pain points. This feedback can help startups improve their product or service and better meet customer needs, leading to more sales and growth in the long run.

There are a variety of sales resources available for new startups. Here are a few of VAULT’s favorites.

Sales Training

There are many online courses available that cover sales techniques and strategies.

Some popular options include: HubSpot's Sales Training Program, SalesHacker's Sales Training Program, and Sandler Training.

Books

It’s time to take a deep dive into the latest and greatest content written by successful salespeople and entrepreneurs.

Some popular titles include: “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, “Pitch Anything” by Oren Klaff, “The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation” by Matthew Dixon, and “Fanatical Prospecting” by Jeb Blount.

Sales Software

There are many different types of sales software on the market, each designed to help sales teams streamline their processes, increase efficiency, and close more deals. Here are some common types of sales software that VAULT encourages you to become familiar with.

NOTE: If you are looking for a more in-depth view of different software types (i.e., CRM versus SFA, etc.), click here.

Pipedrive (great for small teams, inexpensive)

Let’s start off by saying that Pipedrive is known as “the sales CRM for small teams with big ambitions”. In fact, according to Inc. Magazine, it’s now one of America’s fastest-growing companies and the fastest growing CRM provider. Pipedrive helps you get your sales organized so you can focus on the actions that matter most. Want to learn more about this cost-effective solution? Here is a helpful article from FinancesOnline.com that further defines the differences between Pipedrive, Salesforce and Hubspot.

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HubSpot Sales Hub

Next up on our list is HubSpot Sales Hub. HubSpot is a powerful alternative to Salesforce made specifically for reps who want to close deals fast, not manage data. This is a robust solution that helps scaling businesses to grow better with sales, service, marketing and content management software. It provides a single source of truth that empowers your teams to deepen their relationships with customers and provide a best-in-class experience. Sales Hub is built within HubSpot’s all-in-one CRM platform. This includes custom objects, sales engagement software, CPQ tools, conversion intelligence, and powerful sales analytics to help teams work more efficiently, save time and grow revenue.

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Seamless.AI Sales Software

This sales software finds verified cell phones, emails and direct dials for anyone a business could ever want to sell to. Seamless.AI’s search engine helps you connect directly with your ideal customers so you can build a pipeline, shorten your sales cycle, and close more deals at scale. By leveraging Seamless.AI’s real-time people search engine, startups have the ability to build a massive list of decision-makers.

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Sales Communities

You are getting your feet wet in the sales space. You have identified which software to utilize for your business and would like to get connected to the right community. Between online sales, sales training, sales leadership and sales enablement (among many others), there are so many types of communities available to choose from. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular ones.

Gong

Gong brings an experience to users, teams, and companies that is reality-based, autonomous, and aligned amongst employees. Now, not only individuals, but entire teams, functions, and companies are empowered to reach their full potential. Gong analyzes your customer-facing interactions across phone, email, and web conferencing to deliver your team the insights they need to close more deals.

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Sales Hacker

Self proclaimed as “the smartest community of B2B sales professionals on the planet”, Sales Hacker is a free community that has two goals: “Elevating the sales profession, and supporting and equipping one another on our journey to the top”. Sales Hacker offers a podcast, blog, webinars, videos and real sales demos that are created by sales professionals for sales professionals with the sole aim of sharing what’s working today.

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Sales Enablement Society

SESociety.org is a digital and IRL community of impactful Sales Enablement Practitioners, analysts, academics and partners who support and uplift each other's professionals. SES stands strong in its mission of elevating and evolving the profession to achieve both company and individual growth through harnessing the power of collective thought and experience, openly sharing through its global community. SES has 11,000+ members and 59 chapters in 29 countries.

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Sales Gravy

Sales Gravy has a simple mission: To help sales organizations, sales leaders and salespeople win. Its team of sales trainers, coaches and advisors leverage its proven sales training and sales enablement system to help sales organizations become more agile, accelerate sales productivity, and gain a decisive competitive edge.

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Sales Consultants

If your startup has the budget, hiring a sales consultant can be a great way to get personalized guidance and advice. Look for consultants with experience in your industry and a track record of success.

If you need specific guidance on how to find and hire the right sales consultant, click here.

Breaking through the noise

“Good marketing makes the company look smart. Great marketing makes the customer feel smart.” - Joe Chernov

Marketing is essential for startups to establish their brand, acquire customers, build a loyal customer base, differentiate themselves from their competitors, and achieve long-term success.

5 Reasons why Marketing is key for startup success
Creating Awareness.

Marketing helps startups introduce their products or services to their target audience, creating awareness about their brand, and establishing a strong online presence.

Customer Acquisition.

Marketing efforts help startups to acquire new customers, generate leads, and drive sales. Effective marketing strategies can help startups reach their target audience and persuade them to try out their products or services.

Building Brand Equity.

Marketing plays a significant role in building brand equity. Startups can use various marketing techniques such as social media, content marketing, influencer marketing, and email marketing to create a brand image, communicate their unique value proposition, and establish trust and credibility among their target audience.

Competitive Advantage.

In today's highly competitive market, startups need to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Effective marketing can help startups stand out from their competitors and build a loyal customer base.

Growth and Sustainability.

For startups, growth and sustainability are key factors for long-term success. Marketing helps startups to scale their business, reach new markets, and drive revenue growth. By continuously engaging with their customers through marketing efforts, startups can build a sustainable business model and achieve long-term success.

Marketing Tools

There are so many unique ways to conduct a marketing campaign. We’ve gathered the best tools to help you make your traditional and experiential marketing campaigns a success.

HubSpot

This platform offers a variety of marketing resources for startups, including free online courses, blog articles and ebooks on topics such as inbound marketing, social media and content marketing.

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Google Analytics

This is a free web analytics tool that helps startups track their website traffic and analyze user behavior. It’s an essential tool for startups looking to measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.

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MailChimp

This email marketing tool allows startups to create and send email campaigns, automate email sequences and track email performance.

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Canva

A graphic design tool that enables startups to create social media posts, infographics and other visual content for their marketing campaigns.

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Moz

A digital marketing tool that offers SEO software, as well as a blog with helpful articles on SEO and digital marketing.

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SEMrush

A digital marketing tool that provides insights on competitors’ website traffic, keywords and backlinks to help improve SEO and PPC campaigns.

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Startup Grind

Startup Grind is a global community of entrepreneurs that hosts events and provides resources for startups, including blog articles and podcasts on marketing, growth and entrepreneurship.

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Additional Resources

From compelling brand guides to must-have online web tools, this section is your launchpad for crafting captivating campaigns and propelling your startup into the spotlight.

The Must-have Online Web Tools for Streamlining Your Digital Success

In today's fast-paced digital world, staying ahead of the competition is crucial for the success of any business or individual. With the ever-evolving landscape of online marketing, having the right tools on your side can make all the difference in the world. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, it’s time to propel your digital success forward.

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AARRR: Getting the most out of ☠️ pirate metrics

Pirate metrics help you to get to know your product, understand the high value (and not so high value) interactions that your users have with it, and outline the goals of your team or wider organization and measure progress towards them.

Read more about Pirate Metrics in this informative article by Dave Baines, Co-founder, Product Lead of Hyperact.

Experience Design

Ever wondered what exactly experience design is and how it can elevate your product development? Well, we've got you covered! Experience design is the art of crafting unforgettable user experiences that leave a lasting impact. It's all about understanding user needs, emotions, and desires, and using that knowledge to create seamless interactions.

But what does good experience design actually look like? It's like having a personal assistant who anticipates your every move, making your journey effortless and enjoyable. From intuitive navigation to stunning visuals, every detail is carefully designed to create a delightful user journey!

Learn more about experience design and discover invaluable insights on its implementation in product development, all courtesy of Built In.

Check it out here: Experience Design Is Everything | Built In

How to build your growth

Looking to boost your marketing efforts? Check out this insightful article on A/B testing tools by HubSpot! Discover how to optimize your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

Check it out here: 15 of the Best A/B Testing Tools for 2023 | HubSpot

What defines good design?

Discover the secrets to improving your design process and creating exceptional designs within your team.

Check it out here: Get more out of Design Reviews | GrilloPress

Building blocks of success

“Scientists study the world as it is, engineers create the world that never has been.”
- Theodore Von Karmant

The technology landscape is constantly changing, and development and engineering teams are crucial for keeping up with new trends and developing innovative solutions that differentiate a startup from its competitors. As tech startups grow, they need to be able to scale their technology infrastructure to support a larger user base. Development and engineering teams must design systems that can handle increased traffic and usage while maintaining performance and reliability.

Since startups typically have limited resources and need to be cost-effective in their operations, a dedicated development team can help startups optimize their technology investments and reduce costs over time.

There are many development and engineering resources available to new tech startups. Here are just a few that VAULT recommends.

Engineering consultants and Fractional CTOs

Building the first version of your app is always hard, but it’s even more tricky when you are a non-technical founder. Finding the right technical help is no small feat either. You can start by attending local meetups in your area for developers or startups. Lots of programmers and technical founders tend to gravitate to these groups and you might just be able to meet someone that can help bring your ideas to life!

If you have a bigger budget, working with an agency or finding a fractional CTO through sites like Toptal, Clutch, or Upwork are an option as well.

Programming Frameworks and Languages

Don’t get too hung up on what you’re going to build your app with right out of the gate. As long as it accomplishes the end goal of serving your users and providing value, there really isn’t an incorrect choice. Some tools are better suited for some jobs than others, but there are a surprising amount of programmers that really dislike “that one framework/language”. Try not to get caught up in framework or language “wars”.

All that said, here’s some tools we recommend for specific use cases.

Web Application Frontend Frameworks

React

React is a modern frontend framework originally developed by Facebook and used by a large number of organizations.

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Next.js

Used by some of the world's largest companies, Next.js enables you to create full-stack web applications by extending the latest React features, and integrating powerful Rust-based JavaScript tooling for the fastest builds.

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Tailwind CSS

Tailwind CSS is a utility-first CSS framework that makes implementing complex designs a breeze. They also have a UI Kit to help get your application off the ground incredibly fast using their pre-built components and screens.

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Cross-platform Mobile Application Development

React Native

React Native allows you to build native mobile applications using the skills your team already has with React.

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Kotlin Multiplatform

Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile is an SDK for iOS and Android app development. It offers all the combined benefits of creating cross-platform and native apps. It is trusted in production by many of the world’s leading companies, including Philips, Netflix, Leroy Merlin, and VMWare.

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Web/Mobile Application Backend Frameworks

Laravel

Laravel is a web application framework with expressive, elegant syntax.

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FastAPI

FastAPI is a modern, fast (high-performance), web framework for building APIs with Python 3.7+ based on standard Python type hints.

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Nest.js

Nest.js is a progressive Node.js framework for building efficient, reliable and scalable server-side applications.

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“No Code” or “Low Code” Tools

Webflow

Webflow allows you to build with the power of code without writing any. Take control of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a visual canvas. Webflow generates clean, semantic code that’s ready to publish or hand to developers.

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Retool

Retool is highly hackable, so you’re never limited by what's available out of the box. If you can write it with JavaScript and an API, you can build it in Retool.

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Cloud Computing and Hosting Platforms

Just like with the languages or frameworks you use, most cloud and hosting platforms offer a lot of the same things. If there is a specific cloud application you need to use to provide value to your customers, for example any of the machine learning tools provided by AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure, it’s typically best to stay inside of the same ecosystem, at least to start.

There are lots of ways to think about the infrastructure of your application. You can go fully Cloud Native, or you can just find the simplest path to getting your app up and running. Here are some common tools and platforms.

Cloud Providers

AWS

Whether you're looking for compute power, database storage, content delivery, or other functionality, AWS has the services to help you build sophisticated applications with increased flexibility, scalability and reliability. The AWS Cloud spans 99 Availability Zones within 31 geographic regions around the world, with announced plans for 15 more Availability Zones and 5 more AWS Regions in Canada, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Thailand.

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Google Cloud

Google Cloud allows you to build apps fast, make smart business decisions, and connect people anywhere.

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Azure

Join the age of AI with Microsoft Azure. Create innovative apps using the latest AI models and comprehensive dev tools from Azure. Start now with pay-as-you-go pricing.

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Platform as a Service

Vercel

Vercel is the platform for frontend developers, providing the speed and reliability innovators need to create at the moment of inspiration.

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Netlify

Netlify is the fastest way to combine your favorite tools and APIs to build the fastest sites, stores, and apps for the web.

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Firebase

Firebase Hosting provides fast and secure hosting for your web app, static and dynamic content, and microservices. Firebase Hosting is production-grade web content hosting for developers. With a single command, you can quickly deploy web apps and serve both static and dynamic content to a global CDN (content delivery network). You can also pair Firebase Hosting with Cloud Functions or Cloud Run to build and host microservices on Firebase.

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Beyond the sale – why customer support is key

“Building a good customer experience does not happen by accident. It happens by design.” - Clare Muscutt

Customer support is essential for startups to build a loyal customer base, resolve customer issues, improve products or services, create a competitive advantage and enhance brand reputation.

In the early stages of a startup, it is imperative to build a loyal customer base. Providing excellent customer support can help in building trust and loyalty with customers, which can lead to positive word-of-mouth marketing and repeat businesses.

Regardless of how great a product or service is, customers are likely to encounter issues or have questions along the way. Effectively communicating with your customer can help to quickly resolve these issues and prevent negative feedback.

Customer support also provides valuable insights into consumer needs and preferences. By listening to customer feedback, startups can improve their products or services to enhance the needs of their customers.

In a crowded marketplace, excellent customer support can be a key factor in attracting and retaining customers. This will also help establish the startup as trustworthy and reliable which will enhance their reputation and help them stand out among the competition.

There are many customer support resources available for new tech startups. Here are a few that VAULT always keeps in its back pocket.

Lean Methodology

Let’s start by saying that lean methodology is not just VAULT’s preferred method of doing business, it’s the only way. Our team believes that utilizing lean methodology is imperative for startups because it helps them focus on the customer, minimize waste, iterate quickly, improve efficiency, and be flexible in response to changing market conditions. By following lean principles, startups can increase their chances of success and build a sustainable business. Let’s take a look at some resources and examples.

VAULT Business Model – Lean Canvas

Here is an example of VAULT’s business model using the Lean Canvas. Feel free to download and customize this document.

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Lean Canvas Example: Airbnb 

This video explains the Lean Canvas concept using Airbnb as an example. Railsware Academy presents all the details of the Airbnb business model back in the times of its creation.

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Lean Canvas Example: Amazon Business Model

This video explains the Lean Canvas concept based on the Amazon business model. Amazon started as an online bookstore and Jeff Bezos, the founder, was driven by an idea to build “an everything store”. Railsware Academy presents all the details of Amazon’s business model back in the times of its creation.

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Additional Resources

There are many customer support resources available for new tech startups. Here are a few that VAULT always keeps in its back pocket.

Help Desk Software

Help desk software like ZenDesk, Freshdesk and Help Scout provide startups with a centralized platform for managing customer inquiries and support requests.

Customer Service Training

Customer service training courses like those offered by Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera can help startups build a customer-centric culture and teach employees best practices for handling customer interactions.

Knowledge Bases & FAQs

Knowledge bases and FAQs can provide customers with self-service options for finding answers to common questions. Tools like Helpjuice, Document360, and Confluence make it easy to create and manage a knowledge base.

Chatbots & Virtual Assistants

Chatbots and virtual assistants can provide 24/7 support to customers and help automate common support requests. Platforms like Intercom, Drift, Five9 and Tars make it easy to build and deploy chatbots.

Customer Support Communities

Creating a customer support community can help startups build a sense of community and provide customers with a platform for sharing feedback and asking questions. Tools like Discourse and Khoros can help you build and manage a community.

Why your startup needs a Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

This helpful article, courtesy of WeWork, really dives in to the common questions most startups ask when they’re building an online presence through their company’s website.

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Does a startup company need a lawyer?

This article is courtesy of Louis Lehot, business lawyer and partner at Foley & Lardner LLP in Silicon Valley, and formerly the founder of L2Counsel, P.C.

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Not seeing what you are looking for or have a question or suggestion about a specific topic? Send us an email at hello@vaultinnovation.com.

We're here for you.

If you’re a startup founder looking for additional guidance and support, Vault Innovation Group is happy to help. Our team of experts is dedicated to helping startups achieve their goals and overcome challenges. Whether you need assistance with your business plan, funding, marketing or any other aspect of your startup, we have the knowledge and resources to help you succeed.

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