Succeeding With Startup Incubators
The past two weeks have drawn much attention in the web startup industry to the upcoming deadlines for startup incubators. Thanks to an internet entrepreneur that is physically distant from the U.S. startup scene, but still very in touch with the funding opportunities, Juri Kaljundi of Estonia has put together a comprehensive list of the startup accelerator programs currently accepting applications. Check it out here.
While I am not planning on applying to participate in these programs specifically designed to accelerate the startup process, I would like to offer advice to the applicants that are applying now or in the future. These are a few quick notes from an entrepreneurial program I participated in at Drexel University’s Baiada center for entrepreneurship in the summer of 2009-
In order for a startup to be the most successful with their product or service, their offering must meet the following requirements:
1) Solves a current problem.
2) Perceived as being innovative. Even if its not; because of the way it is packaged or marketed.
3) Easy and inexpensive to install or integrate.
4) Low-tech, meaning that it is simple to operate.
–Keep in mind that these guiding points are merely a starting point, and many other variables such as market size, existing competitors, etc. must be taken into account. Either way, this should give you an idea if your startup business is on the right track, and hopefully make your idea stand out a bit more than others. Good luck on the applications!
