Private labeling question Hi everyone, I recently registered a company for my business in the produce industry, but I just found out that the name I chose is already trademarked. My plan was to import fruits from Peru and have them packed in boxes with my own private label branding. Since I can’t legally use the company name for branding, I’m wondering: • Can I create a new private brand that isn’t trademarked and use that on the packaging? • Is it okay to include a note on the packaging saying the... 5 0 replies
Easy grants for student founders? Robotics and Manufacturing industry Hi guys! Basically title, I am building a robotic startup with some friends and we need grants or east competition to get a couple grand. We need to build our first prototype and need about 36 servos and a couple motors for a simple prototype. Where can we apply for grants and non diluting funds to get a couple hundred. We are applying for a 15k college startup accelerator and need to get this prototype together as if we come top 5 we enter to be awarded with 115k.... 1 1 replies
How many AB tests are you running? Obviously large startups and businesses are running thousands a year, with many having hundreds on the go at once. But as a small to medium sized startup, how many ab/split tests are you running per week,month, year? Or are you not running any? Let me know either way. Thanks a lot! 1 2 replies
I need help finding resource or API for a feature for a product I’ve started building an app that helps users validate their pitches quickly. I’m currently working on a feature that requires fetching website data for similar pitches based on user-provided pitch. However, I’m having trouble identifying reliable resources or APIs to achieve this. I’ve explored a few options but haven’t found a robust solution yet. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! 1 0 replies
i need help to decide between Woocommerce or Shopify to a marketplace multivendor I'm developing a marketplace about clothes stuff in Venezuela(Im venezuelan) so the web needs to be a multivendor marketplace obviusly, but i can't decide between WooCommerce or Shopify, Im non-tech, Im not developer, i would appreciate if you will be able to help me in this thing, i dont have so much money but i really want to do this 1 6 replies
I have a business idea that I think has potential, but don't know.where to start First, I'd like to evaluate my idea without having it stolen. Maybe it isn't good enough for someone to steal, but ya never know. Second, if it is good, I'd like a business partner who knows how to build a business and is good with communication cuz I'm not exactly. I don't know if these are even the first steps to take though. Where should I start? The business idea has to do with reducing plastic pollution. It is to collect, clean and resell plastic packaging to product manufacturers,... 5 10 replies
Non common startup fields Everything startup related is filled with building tech SaaS/ wrappers or taking existing products/minor tweaks and branding it. Anyone would like to share some non conventional/ niche fields(relatively unknown) or engineering heavy startups they or their friends are doing, or just came across in news, social media etc. Edit: People mentioning physical startups, plz mention niche. 2 4 replies
COO role I’ve been offered a COO role with a startup. They have no money yet, they’re just getting started. What should I ask for? What is fair at this point? Some kind of equity? Can you recommend any example documents I should ask them to sign? I never worked for startups and would like to ensure I’m not working for free. Thank you! 2 9 replies
How Do You Effectively Create an ICP for Your B2B SaaS? Im in the process of launching campaigns for my B2B SaaS and want to ensure my Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is spot on. What are the best practices for researching and defining an ICP? Specifically: 1. How do you gather and validate data about potential customers? 2. What tools or methods do you use for market segmentation? 3. Any tips on identifying pain points and tailoring messaging accordingly? I’d love to hear your step-by-step process or insights from experience. 5 4 replies
What are your biggest lessons from 2024 as a Startup founder? As the year is coming to an end, as its the time for retrospectives, What are you biggest lessons from 2024 as a Startup founder? As for me it's probably to not invest all our profits into dogecoin but instead into hiring and growing our startup :P But on a more serious note, it is probably to focus on profit and not burn too much cash since VC eco system has been hard on non AI startups lately! 1 10 replies
How to find the right marketing cofounder I’m a high school student preparing to launch an AI-powered study app that’s nearly finished on the coding side. As I get ready for launch, I’m searching for a collaborator to take charge of organic social media marketing. I’m looking for someone who knows how to build and engage an audience effectively and is comfortable creating video content. I plan to offer the cofounder 40% of the profit. Do you have any tips on where to find the right person and how to identify if they’re the best fit?... 1 2 replies
Tips on Finding Clients? Hey, everyone! My partners and I run a software development agency, and we’re at the stage where we’re trying to grow our client base. Finding consistent clients has been one of our biggest challenges. We’ve tried a mix of strategies so far—word of mouth, freelance platforms, and cold outreach—but results have been hit or miss. I’m curious to hear from others who’ve been in a similar boat: * Where have you had the most success finding clients for a small agency or freelance business? * Are there any unconventional... 1 10 replies
Red Flags When Choosing Business Cofounders - A Tech Founder's perspective After 15 years building startups as a technical founder, here are the critical red flags I've encountered that every technical founder should watch for: 🚩 1. **Disconnected from Their Target Market** - They're trying to solve problems for people they don't know or understand - No existing network or connections in their target industry - Can't demonstrate deep understanding of customer pain points 🚩 2. **Treating You as "Just the Tech Guy"** - Not valuing your strategic input beyond coding - Dismissing your vision and ideas for the business... 1 10 replies
We built a tool to help you find relevant grants. Would you pay for it? Hi everyone, About a year ago, I asked you guys whether it would make sense to develop a tool to help entrepreneurs find relevant grants. Many of you provided incredibly valuable feedback, which we used to refine the concept. With this concept, we went through Techstars and finally launched a beta version of our grant scan tool last week! Along the way, we realized something interesting: when you ask a grant advisor which grants might be a great fit for you, they almost always recommend the ones they know... 5 10 replies
Startup book tips for 2025.. Hi fellow founders! I have read a lot of books on startups this year, and wanted to share 8 of my top reads from this year: \- The SaaS Playbook: How to build a lean million-dollar SaaS, market against large competitors, and use your position as underdog as an unfair advantage. \- Obviously Awesome: Positioning your startup and product so customers 1. get it, 2. buy it and 3. love it. \- The Transparency Sale: Using transparency and "unexpected honesty" to build trust and sell more. \- Getting Acquired:... 5 1 replies
Should I Learn Frontend Dev or Hire Someone for My MVP? Hey everyone, I’m in the process/thought of starting a SaaS company , and I’m stuck on a decision I could really use some perspective on. Here’s the situation: I’ve got a solid background in backend development / Cloud and experience in leadership/sales, but when it comes to frontend dev, I’m at a beginner level. Now I’m debating what to do for my MVP: 1. **Learn Frontend Myself** * It feels like a good long-term skill to have, and it would give me full control over the MVP. But it’ll... 5 8 replies
🎄 Why I Hate Christmas – and What It Taught Me About B2B Sales 🎄 As a businessman, I value efficiency, discipline, and results. These principles have served me well. Take my clerk, Bob Cratchit: he works hard because I incentivize him with lean pay. My debtors pay on time because they know I hold them accountable. And Christmas? It’s an annual distraction that disrupts productivity, increases frivolous spending, and encourages emotional decisions. Bah, humbug! But here’s the thing: every interaction in B2B sales is a negotiation of value. By focusing on ROI rather than sentimentality, I’ve built a thriving business that rewards sound... 5 4 replies
Need an advice on my early startup's next steps Hey everyone, 1 month ago I released my B2B app and acquired my first users. (2 free, 2 paying customers). My user base is not technical people so having face-to-face meetings helps convince them which is what I did and I turned them into customers in 1 or 2 meetings. I am a solo developer for this app and now I am in a place where I need to choose between a couple of options. First I build the app with Firebase & React Native. I also built a... 2 0 replies
How do I build a tech startup if the products/services are too complicated for an initial proof of concept? I'm currently a graduate student and let's say I want to develop a startup that focuses of developing small nuclear reactors for data centers. As a nuclear engineering student, I might have a lot of knowledge about the feasibility of the project, what materials we might need and maybe I can run engineering simulations to demonstrate my idea. But there is no way I can develop a proof of concept, definitely not with the budget and support I get from my university, not to mention the safety hazard working... 4 5 replies
Is b2c dead? What will bring it back? It feels like all I see these days is B2B SaaS. And I get it—clear problem definition, solid business model, and all that. But consumer innovation feels overdue. What do you think will bring it back? Will it be new technologies, cultural shifts, or some untapped need waiting to be solved? 3 10 replies
