What is a startup? What is a startup company? How to start a similar business Best it startups

Everyone knows that you can organize your own business. For example, build a hotel on the seashore. Also, everyone roughly knows what needs to be done for this: purchase a piece of land, draw up a package of documents, create a project, calculate an estimate, start and finish construction, find trained personnel, do not skimp on advertising, and then after about five to ten years, if successful In the course of business, the invested capital will pay off, and the business will begin to generate income.

This is a classic option for starting and developing a business, requiring considerable financial investment, and there is also this: the creators of the famous computer game Angry Birds in a few years they earned almost 56 million euros with an investment of 100 thousand. Or Facebook, the approximate cost of which is $100 billion. USA, and this with relatively minimal investment.

You can give a lot of such examples - these are projects VKontakte, Odnoklassniki and the well-known Google. All of them are similar in that they went through a rapid path of successful development, were based on the innovative ideas of their creators and did not require large start-up capital. These are startups. Projects, ideas, IT technologies. They cannot be touched, but they can bring billions to their creators.

Important Definitions

A startup (start-up - English) is a company that has just been created and started its activities, usually with limited financial capabilities and a small number of people working in it.

Its activities are not necessarily based on IT technologies, as many mistakenly believe, but on any innovative ideas related to medicine, nanotechnology, the Internet, or any other field. A startup is a company, organization, or any other legal entity. It is extremely incorrect to call any Internet service, successful website or project with this term.

Startup is a person who created a startup and is an employee of the company.

• The development of a startup is impossible without attracting investors. It could be: Venture fund
• – a company that invests in innovative, risky projects, which, according to research, can subsequently bring good profits. Business angels

– individuals who are ready to finance a startup at the development stage and expect to receive long-term interest from profits in the future.

The main distinguishing feature of a startup is its youth. After a few months of operation, the company either becomes a fairly successful business or ceases to exist. The key point is the desire to find and offer a completely new solution to a problem, an unknown service or product. Therefore, first of all, it is creativity and innovation.

And novelty, in turn, is inextricably linked with the unknown and uncertainty, since the company has to perform all actions from scratch. This includes determining the pricing policy and payment methods, studying the audience who is interested in their product, planning a future development strategy, and much more. It is from this that follows such a feature of a startup as the search for a model of behavior in the market.

History of origin

The English term “start-up” in its current meaning was born in the USA, near San Francisco, in Silicon Valley in 1939. This is the place where almost all companies that were involved in the development of information technology were gathered. In principle, the success of the valley is inextricably linked with the emergence of the first startup - when two Stanford graduates, William Hewlett and David Packard, founded the enterprise that later became the world famous giant Hewlett-Packard.

• Other classic examples of successful startups are:
• Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ron Wayne, who joined a little later, Apple Computer Inc.
• Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Very often in recent years, any well-known company, Internet project or website that is somehow different from others is mistakenly called startups. For example, among the popular networks Facebook, Odnoklassniki.ru, VKontakte, only the first one is a real startup, and the rest are its successful clones, which are popular mainly in the Runet.

Specifics of working in Russia

The young startup market in Russia is now in a stage of rapid growth and development. But it is largely because of his youth that he experiences great difficulties. Over the fifty years of existence of this sector in the West, a certain innovative culture, mechanisms for supporting innovation, and investment forms have developed there. There are thousands of venture capital firms and business angels, private investors, and, accordingly, thousands of opportunities for startups. This does not exist in Russia yet, so it is extremely difficult to find sources of financing. Another distinctive feature of a Russian company is the time that the company can spend in this stage.

In the classic version, which operates in the West, it is given 6-8 months, after which, if the idea fails, the company dies so as not to waste time and money. In our country, this stage can last for years, which is a mistake.

The fate of the Russian startup, its further existence or development also remains uncertain due to the low interest of our large companies in such projects. Western giants constantly monitor the teams they have and buy the most promising ones. We don't have such practice. That is why foreign investors are increasingly turning their attention to the Russian market.

Startup creation

Nowadays, anyone who would like to try themselves in this field can found a startup. The easiest way to do this is, of course, in the IT sector. Today, having a laptop, a bright head with ideas and a desire to create something unusual may be sufficient for the first steps in this field.

To make the task easier, you can follow theses:

• Identify the problem you are going to solve. For reliability, it is better to take a real sphere and real consumers who have difficulty in something. You can find out by talking with clients, listening, reading reviews, comments, and after making sure that this is a really sore subject, you can try to find ways to solve it and implement the project. The ideal option would be to sign a letter of guarantee with the client who voiced the problem, stating his willingness to further cooperate with you and use your product if the problem is successfully resolved.
• Take your time to optimize the product and bring it to an ideal state. Your task is to create a trial version as quickly as possible and give it to friends, acquaintances, and customers for testing. And based on their comments, refine it and release the next and subsequent versions.
• Don't delay your first sale. You shouldn't sit on the interface for years without trying to implement what already exists. A startup is a business, and an accelerated business. Here you need to understand as quickly as possible whether it will be successful, and for this you need sales. And if they buy a raw product from you, this will be a signal that you are on the right track.
• Don't spend money, especially money you haven't earned yet. If you have invested your own funds in a startup, are at the beginning of your journey, have not yet received a single payment for the product, save on everything - office, employees, business cards and other things that you can do without.
• Devote as much time as possible to the project. The success of an enterprise depends almost 100% on how much work and time is invested in it. If you work on a project for an hour a day, the results will most likely be mediocre.
• Don't rush to look for outside investors. At the initial stage, it is better to manage on your own, attract friends and relatives. In order to create a trial model, not so much money is needed. If the prototype is successful, the business has taken off and needs to be developed, then you can think about raising additional capital. Moreover, doing this with a ready-made positive result is much easier and more profitable.
• Don't put off ideas until tomorrow. If you are sure of something, do the project immediately. There is no need to slow down on finding a team, discussions and other things. Just get started. Everything else will follow along the way. A startup is a business for the young, impulsive, and hot-headed. The older a person gets, the less susceptible he is to impulses and to the belief that a seemingly crazy idea can be successfully brought to life.
• Don't be discouraged if you fail. Before you give up on a startup, make sure you've done everything you can. Or maybe just a little tweaking of a failed product is enough to make it sellable?

Watch the video on where to start developing your project:

The process of turning a startup into a successful enterprise consists of several stages.

Stages of development

1. Origin. This stage is characterized by the presence of an idea and sometimes a trial sample of the product. There are initiators of creating a company, but the process of founding a business has not yet begun.
2. Becoming. At this stage, the company has already been created, the production of the product has begun, but it is still raw, not finalized and does not yet generate income. A management team is being formed and the company’s documentation is being put in order.
3. Early development. The momentum is gaining, the company gains its first popularity and takes its place in the market, the first profit appears.
4. Extension. At this stage, sales of the product increase, the company reaches a stable profit, it has well established its position in the market and is able to begin the development of related projects.
5. Maturity. The last stage, at which the company, as a rule, occupies a leading position in its industry and a fairly large share of the market segment, it is highly profitable, all processes have been worked out, and it employs highly qualified specialists. In this position, the company will usually begin issuing shares or may be sold to a suitable investor.

Investors and search for financing

For an undertaking to be successful, in addition to the idea, you need a good source of investment. Or several. Without funding, a startup will not survive. Ideally, at each stage of development it should move to a higher level of financing. Sources may be:

• Personal savings.
• Funds from friends and family members.
• Crowdfunding. A startup can make a presentation of his brainchild on the Internet and ask for money for development. A prize is usually promised for depositing a certain amount. This type of investment is poorly developed in Russia, and searching on foreign sites is complicated by the fact that you will need an account in a foreign bank to withdraw funds.
• Credit. Unlike Western countries where there are preferential lending programs for startups, in Russia you can get a consumer loan or a small business loan for this business. A high percentage scares off novice businessmen, making the project deeply unprofitable in the early stages of development.
• A business angel is the investor every startup owner dreams of. For people who have the gift of persuasion and believe in the success of their project, finding such investors is quite a feasible task even in Russia, where their number is increasing every year.
• State. The budget of any country includes funds for the development of innovative business. If you manage to meet the strict requirements, you can receive stable financial assistance at a low interest rate.
• Venture funds. It is quite difficult to obtain such investments. In order to convince people who have enormous practical experience in such matters, it is necessary to have a truly bright and profitable undertaking.

Making a decision also takes quite a long time. Each source of funding has its own nuances and problems, but faith in your business and perseverance in your work will help you overcome these difficulties.

Business accelerators and incubators

Important elements in the startup system are incubators and accelerators. The scope of their activity is the development of companies at the initial stage, turning them into a profitable business. They work simultaneously with a large number of projects, thereby minimizing their risks.

• Incubator– specializes in business development at the idea stage. This is, as a rule, the first structure that a startup can turn to after family and friends. The incubator's arsenal includes training programs for project development, theoretical and practical trainings that help apply acquired knowledge in practice.
• Accelerator- works with a ready-made company that has its own team and experience, requiring serious investment. The essence of the program is approximately the same, but at a deeper level related to the analysis of investment activities and communication with future investors.

If a startup lacks a team or space to develop an idea, it should turn to an incubator. If a company has been created, but needs professional advice on how to take it into big business, go to an accelerator.

The main activity of the incubator is consulting, so any startuper who can pay for the services can become its client. In order to become a client of the accelerator, you must pass a selection process. Experts with extensive experience are involved in their work, and additional financial resources are also attracted. The accelerator’s task is to turn a startup into an investment-attractive product in a short period of time. Very often, large accelerators cooperate with venture funds, which can subsequently finance such a company. To become their client, the proposed project must show good prospects for success.

Examples of successful projects

There are many companies that have made their projects successful and extremely profitable in a short time. These include:

• Wikipedia– the most extensive online encyclopedia, where the number of articles increases every day.
• YouTube– the largest database of video products.
• Among the startups that have become famous in recent years, one can name a gadget manufacturer from China - Xiaomi. By setting minimum prices for devices and providing them with decent quality, the company sold 18.7 million units of smartphones last year, and it also has other in-demand electronics in its arsenal. The company's market value is $10 billion. USA with an investment of 507 million.
• As a striking example of a successful startup on the Russian market, we can cite the company "Enter", founded by Maxim Nogotkov. The basis of her activity was the idea of ​​​​creating a project that includes real and online stores. The company includes more than a hundred sales points, operates in 40 Russian cities, you can order goods through the website, a special application on your cell phone, a landline phone, or directly in the store. Today, the product range includes more than 35 thousand items.

Hello, dear readers of the business magazine “site”! In this article we want to tell you what is a startup (Startup) in simple words, how to create it and where to find sources of funding for the creation and development of projects.

How often do you hear the word startup these days? But it has already become almost colloquial and is found in everyday life all the time. Some call it a startup exclusively, others believe that startup– this is generally any business project.

If among the readers there are aspiring entrepreneurs, novice investors, or at least financial theorists, then this publication will be useful for reading. Because the story will be about the most basic concepts associated with the term " startup", the history of its origin, stages of creation And development of startup projects and sources of their financing.

So, from this article you will learn:

• What a startup actually is - the main features and features;
• How to independently create a successful startup project;
• Where and how to find funding for startup projects;
• Who is a startuper?

And the article is intended for those who know about financial undertakings of this type only by hearsay and want to get to the bottom of the truth.

In the article, we described what a startup is, gave a full definition of the term “startup” in simple words, presented the main stages and key points in the creation and development of projects, and also cited relevant and interesting small business startup projects

In the distance 1939 in the United States, near San Francisco, which was a center in the development of new technologies, graduates of Stanford University, David Packard And William Hewlett, developed an idea, tested it in practice and called their project a startup(from English startup – launch, begin).

Today this project is known as a huge company that produces computers, laptops, office equipment and related software under the logo HP, or Hewlett-Packard.

Later, in 90s, many financiers and entrepreneurs argued over the definition of the term startup, calling the main characteristic feature either a short period of active activity of the company, or mandatory rapid growth, or the creation of a product or service in conditions of high risk.

The classic definition of the concept of startup is considered to be that formulated by successful American startuper Stephen Blank, namely:

« Startup “is a temporary structure aimed at finding and implementing a scaled business idea.” .

Simply put, startup – this is a new financial project, whose goal is rapid development and profit.

But is it really that simple? After all, if you rely on this short definition, then absolutely every newly created business can be proudly called a startup project.

It is not for nothing that new technologies were mentioned in the story about the history of the creation of the Hewlett-Packard company. After all, the first product released by HP was regular generator, where a simple incandescent lamp was used as a resistor.

This innovation (precisely an innovation!) made it possible to make the operation of the generator more stable, and at the same time reduce its cost. So the project became competitive And profitable.

Thus, the main characteristic of startups is precisely the use of some kind of activity as the basis of their activities. latest technology, no one else never tried before.

For example, opening a traditional cafe- this is an ordinary business project, but if the service in this cafe is carried out in some completely innovative way, which is ideologically justified and financially justified, then this is a startup project.

To others wrong opinion is the belief that a startup is necessarily a project created on the Internet. There are, of course, grounds for such a statement: now the Internet business sector is developing so actively that that almost all innovations are connected specifically with the World Wide Web. Therefore, most people who do not deeply understand the intricacies of business and new technologies call any Internet project a startup.

What other distinctive characteristics of startups exist?

• Development and development of a product, service, idea, which is offered by a newly founded young company (to implement the project it is necessary to create a legal entity), always a team of like-minded people.

In this team, everyone has their own responsibilities, but they are united by the belief that the result of a common cause is necessary for people and can improve life in general.

No matter how pretentious it may sound, but practice shows, that only those startup projects that began precisely with the formation of such a global idea, were able to overcome all the difficulties of growth and development and turn into a long-term profitable business.

• A startup project, like any other endeavor, needs cash injections.

But it so happens that startupers are almost always young people, students and even pupils who do not have enough funds to develop their project, and their task is different: they must develop an idea, a product, a service that they offer.

Therefore, an important part of working on a project is finding sources of funding. Moreover, the further the project moves, the more funding it requires. Who usually funds such projects and where to find these sources will be discussed in detail in the continuation of the article.

Startup – a completely young project, which is based on some completely new idea that has not been used by anyone before;

The project can be created in any sphere of life: medicine, trade, transport, services, and so on;

Successful development of a startup project requires a close-knit team of developers and assistants, as well as sufficient funding until the project becomes self-sustaining and profitable.

The main problems of startupers and features when creating them

2. Features of Russian startups

Separately, it should be said about the specifics of creating and developing startup projects in Russia.

Everyone knows that Russia lags far behind the West in the formation of the business sector. Therefore, what in the USA and Europe has long ceased to be a novelty and has acquired established forms, in our country is just going through a stage of rapid growth and formation. This statement applies in particular to startups.

Russia has never had a shortage of good brains and bright ideas. Today, conditions have also emerged for the implementation of interesting ideas. But as you know, every barrel of honey has its own fly in the ointment.

The main problems of startups in Russia

Analysts identify 3 (three) problems that Russian startups face:

Problem 1. Cash support

The problem arises almost immediately when the project begins to need financial support.

Finding sources of financing is not easy even for serious adult entrepreneurs who own an established profitable business and a good reputation. What can we say about young people who have neither reputation nor profits from their project?

Banks They ask for a high interest rate on the loan, which will have to be repaid in any case.

Crowdfunding in the Russian segment it is not yet so developed, and turning to Western sites is associated with the complexity of converting and withdrawing money. We wrote in more detail about what Russian sites exist, and so on, in previous issues.

Venture funds they put forward a lot of conditions before providing financial support to the young team.

All that remains is to rely on personal funds, the help of family and friends, or try to look for business angel, who will believe in the project and finance its development.

Overcoming this complexity, perhaps, primarily determines the success of the entire project as a whole.

Problem 2. Startup development time

Another problem is related to ignorance of the theory of startup promotion over time. In itself, such a project is characterized not just by development, but by rapid development. And is assigned to this stage from 6 (six) to 8 (eight) months. And then, if the project does not begin to make a profit and pay for itself, it's being closed.

In Russia unsuccessful startup projects drag on for years, sucking money out of the startupers and investors themselves and turning into unprofitable hopeless enterprises.

Problem 3. Project implementation

There is another rather serious problem in Russia in the field of implementing startups.

It consists in the lack of interest among large manufacturing companies in acquisition and further development successful innovative developments.

Whether this is due to the general policy of the state, which does not pay any attention to creating conditions for the emergence of this type of entrepreneurship, or whether the startup industry is simply still at a low level is difficult to say.

Let's hope that over time, Russian startups will have strong support in the form of government agencies interested in developing innovative technologies in practice and introducing them into existing industrial production.

At almost all stages of development of a startup project in Russia, there are serious difficulties associated with the still imperfect ecosystem for such projects and the uncertainty of its future existence.

Stages of development of business projects + comparative table

3. Key stages of development of startup projects

Like any project, a startup overcomes several main stages on the path of its formation.

It’s worth mentioning right away that such a division is approximate And depends on the purpose And project focus, on the scope of his activities and other criteria, which will influence the speed of development, the amount and level of investment in the project, and the results of the start-up company’s activities.

This division is based on the development of the same Steven Blank, author of the book “ Four steps to insight", where he described a model for the gradual development of a startup and the careful use of investment funds. This model later became the basis of Eric Ries' lean startup philosophy.

Stage No. 1. The birth of a startup (pre-seed, or pre-seed)

This is the ideation stage. That same exceptional idea, which is based on some kind of innovative product, service, technology, capable improve and make life easier, modify an existing product, enhance the effect of the drug, and so on, depending on the field of activity of the creator of the idea.

At this stage a team of like-minded people and assistants who believe in the effectiveness of the planned business is formed, a rough plan for the development of the idea is developed, options for finding investors are considered, and a prototype of a product, service, or technology is tested, if it has already been created.

Funding is needed already at this stage, even minimum. Most often, personal funds of developers, their families and friends are used here.

If necessary and possible, it makes sense for a startup to contact business incubator, where he can be provided with office space with connected communications and various types of services, from secretarial to legal and consulting.

Finding an investor at this stage is very difficult, since the project does not yet have any achievements by which to judge its effectiveness.

Nevertheless, it’s worth a try, since there are investment companies that specialize in investing in startups in the early stages of development.

Such organizations do not have a lot of capital, but at the same time they have a strong analytical apparatus to conduct an examination and calculate the prospects of an investment.

Stage No. 2.

Formation of a startup (seed, or sowing)

At the seed stage of startup development, a working model already exists, a well-coordinated team has been created, where the functions of each of its members are clearly distributed, a detailed strategy for promoting the project to the market or in the user environment has been drawn up, a legal entity has been formed, the first steps have been taken in advertising and searching for investors. The task of startups at this stage

– debug the product promotion system and look for sources of financing.

Yes, it is these components that are more important than bringing the product, service, or technology itself to perfection. Because attracting investors

– a painstaking matter that requires time for direct search, negotiations, decision-making and conclusion of an agreement. Sometimes this can last a month or two, or even more.

During this time, it is quite possible to finalize the product and even make some profit, which will certainly have a positive effect on the investor’s decision to invest his money in such a promising undertaking. Funding at this stage is already more serious

, since it is necessary to pay for the work of team members, rent and maintenance of the office, if necessary, overhead costs. Finding an investor at this stage

And here the ideal option would be to find business angel , a person who will calculate the prospects of the project And wishes to invest a certain part of his own funds in it V.

Another source of funding at this time is crowdfunding (crowdfunding) - receiving funds from a community of people who are ready to contribute money to provide assistance, in this case, in the development of a promising startup project.

Stage No. 3.

Early development of the project (Alpha version)

The early development stage is characterized by the presence of an operating company that is profitable, occupies a prominent place in the market or other consumer environment, and is popular among users of the product. The task of startups at this stage is

becomes the final formation of a product, service, technology, correction of identified defects, inaccuracies, that is, bringing it to an ideal state.

At the same time, the promotion of the product on the market continues, with massive advertising in order to increase income or expand the consumer circle. The need for additional funding still remains , since the costs of maintaining the company and implementing marketing plans are growing, and although there is profit,.

but does not cover all expenses – To attract investors early development stage Golden time : They themselves find startups at this stage of formation. This is understandable, because you can already see the effectiveness of the idea itself , And the effectiveness of the idea itself company profitability other characteristics

, indicating the prospects for further cooperation. Here you can connect And investment venture funds business accelerators

– organizations specializing in professional assistance to developed startups that are ready to grow into big businesses.

Extension Stage No. 4.

Startup expansion (closed Beta version)– this is the stage when the company has a completed functional product that brings constant profit. The marketing strategy at this stage has been worked out to the smallest detail, and the company is ready to scale, that is, increase sales volumes, distribute in related areas of activity, or attract a mass range of consumers. An important task at this time Experts consider the correct construction of both the company itself and its relations with investors.

If the founders intend to develop the business, especially when one of them is also a product developer, then it is more logical to direct efforts to obtain high profits.

Besides, preferably limitamount of investment from and place bets on business partners.

If the company is supposed to be sold or the project can function perfectly without the direct participation of the founder, then the work should be aimed at finding a suitable investor for whom want to buy a controlling stake at a reasonable price.

By retaining a small share, the startuper gets the opportunity to move on to other projects.

Stage No. 4.

Project maturity (open Beta version) Basically, the maturity stage says that a startup project has turned into a serious business

, when a company occupies a leading position in the market or close to it, has a high return on investment, the company’s staff is a team of highly qualified specialists, and their work is well-functioning.

Most often, at this stage, the company begins issuing shares that generate income for its founders.

In other cases, the company is sold as a ready-made business. There is no doubt that in the development of each individual project there may be a different number of stages . It depends on the goal set by the startup developer, the scope of activity and the overall development strategy of the company. And only one point remains mandatory for any startup project:

Each of them needs an investor!

The main sources of funding will be discussed in the next part of the article.

We suggest studying the table, which describes what is needed for each stage of startup development, as well as where and what kind of financing is needed:	Stage	What's available?	What is necessary?
FinancingEmergence (pre-sowing/)	pre-seed	A formulated idea, developers, a team of like-minded people.	Drawing up a development plan, testing the product, searching for investors.
Minimum level, use of personal finance, involvement of family, friends; business incubator.Formation (sowing/	seed)	A working version (prototype) of the product, an active team, a detailed marketing development plan.	Introducing the product to the market/attracting users, advertising, searching for large investors.
Middle level, third-party investors, business angels, crowdfunding.	Early development (A-version)	Operating company, profit, prominent place in the market/popularity among users.	High level: venture funds, investment companies, private investors, business accelerator.
Expansion (closed B-version)	A finished functional product, stable profits, serious management, advertising.	Concluding long-term contracts with partners, expanding the network, increasing the number of users.	Distribution of shares between founders and investors, search for a major investor.
Maturity (open B-version)	Leading position in the market, smooth operation, high profitability.	Issue of shares, search for a buyer of a ready-made business.	Full self-sufficiency of the company.

4. How to attract investment in startups - TOP 7 sources of financing for a Startup project

How often does a situation happen in life when “ I have an idea, but no money"! And most often this happens with startup projects, which, as mentioned above, are created by young people who do not have sufficient funds to finance their project.

Fortunately, the opposite also often happens: “ there is money, but no idea" There are always people who cannot come up with an idea themselves, but who have the gift of recognizing promising projects, know how to develop them and are not afraid to invest money in them.

We are talking about investors and investment organizations specializing in investing in startups.

But in reality, there are many more sources of funding. Each of them has its own distinctive features and capabilities at one or two stages of project development.

Investing in startups - finding an investor for a startup: main sources of project financing

This section of the article is devoted to a detailed analysis 7 (seven) main types, or sources, financing start-up projects.

1) Personal savings of startupers

Used at the stages of origin and formation, when idea of ​​a product, service, technology, as well as the business plan of the startup itself, are at the development stage, and there is simply nothing to offer to third-party investors yet. By the way, we talked about it in the last issue.

In addition, often the creator of the idea does not want to share all the details and subtleties of the model he is developing for fear of losing authorship and control over the development of the project.

In this case, attracting third-party investments is impossible, except for those that friends and close relatives are ready to make.

2) Funds from relatives and friends

They are used in the first stages of a project’s development, when there are already costs but no profit yet. At this point, friends and relatives can act not only as financial helpers, but also as first users of a product or service.

By the way, analysts claim that this source of investment for startups in Russia is very common and ranks second in terms of the volume of invested funds.

3) Crowdfunding

So-called crowd funding can be used by a start-up in the initial stages of project development.

What is crowdfunding? This is a voluntary collection of funds, and not only material ones, for holding events or creating objects and values social, public, political, cultural, scientific direction.

Crowdfunding is most often carried out via the Internet., and it is characterized by a clear goal setting, announcement of the required amount, drawing up an estimate, or cost calculation, and necessarily open information to the participants in the collection.

This type of financing is popular in the West since 2000 and since 2007developing in Russia. Internet platforms ( kickstarter.com in Europe and the USA, boomstarter.ru And planeta.ru in the Russian-language part of the Internet), through which you can declare your project and ask for financial assistance, will definitely offer the organizers to establish an award for participants.

Participation in the collection is rewarded in 3 (three) ways:

1. Gifts or prizes;
2. Obtaining a small share in a business project for which money is being raised;
3. Receiving a share of future profits or return on investment.

Who mainly uses crowdfunding?

Most often, of course, money is collected to create music albums, filming, book publishing, social and charitable projects.

But, for example, in 2008, the well-known Barack Obama raised money only for the first stage of his election campaign through crowdfunding more than $250,000.

4) Credit

As mentioned above, credit– one of the most undesirable types of financing for a new project.

This is explained by quite understandable reasons, namely: startup – an enterprise with high risks, which are often difficult to calculate, it is also difficult to determine the level of profitability of the project.

Therefore, it is more logical to take out a loan for the development of such a business at later stages, when these risks have already decreased and profitability has increased.

5) Business angel (obsolete Russian “philanthropist”)

This is the name given to independent investors who invest personal funds at the earliest stages of a startup’s development and, on this basis, sometimes participate in project management.

At all, business angel – the dream of every startuper. In addition to money, they also have professional experience in the field of marketing and finance, and due to their interest in the success of the project, they can provide professional assistance at the stages of formation and early development.

But we must be aware that attracting a business angel at the first, most high-risk stages of project development will require transfer of a large share of the business into his possession.

If the startuper’s ultimate goal is to sell an existing business, then there will be no problem. But if the startuper intends to continue to engage in his enterprise, then the relationship with the business angel and his share of participation in the enterprise must be legally formalized at the very beginning of cooperation.

• Firstly, if the startup is fresh and is of interest in social, scientific and public terms, then you can contact crowdfunding platforms, which have already been discussed here.
• Secondly, if a startup project has a serious scientific, information, production or technological focus, then it makes sense to contact specialized sites and forums, where not only general business issues are discussed, but also where potential investors are present. They are also interested in finding profitable projects.
• Third, you can contact directly through the websites and offices of investment and venture companies. As a rule, implementing government programs to support private business, it is these companies that hold seminars, conferences, competitions and exhibitions, where, in addition to information and advisory support, one can find future partners and investors.

Question 3. How to come up with a good idea for a startup project and bring it to life?

Good idea– this is where any successful startup begins. There are people who generate such ideas with enviable consistency.

But what should those who, having both the desire and ability to start their own business, cannot decide on an idea?

Experienced startupers advise the following:

• An innovative idea must lie on the surface. That is, it should be something ordinary, but imperfect. So imperfect or inconvenient that you want to correct it and thereby help all the people who are bothered by this imperfection. Therefore, take a closer look at your daily life and notice everything that needs improvement and correction.
• Don't be afraid to fantasize! All the latest achievements were once fiction, fantasy and seemed like a pipe dream. But they happened because someone was not afraid to turn a dream into reality.
• Write down any ideas and interesting thoughts, it doesn’t matter whether you came up with them yourself or heard them from someone. And then try to try them on in real life. It is possible that this is how you will find that unique niche where you can apply your talents.
• If you feel like you've found something interesting, conduct research to see if your idea is needed. Internet forums, specialized websites on the problem, and conversations with potential consumers will help determine the relevance of the idea, the scope of its application and the direction of development.
• If an idea is found and you are confident in its prospects, then start acting: make a plan, look for helpers And like-minded people And launch project to life. If you do not have sufficient funds even at the initial stages, try to save on everything you can and look for investors for subsequent development.
• Be confident in yourself and your abilities, optimistic and determined to succeed. There will be many difficulties along this path, but the result is worthy of overcoming them.

8. Conclusion + video on the topic

Modern life is developing at a rapid pace, which means that more and more new ideas will always appear that deserve attention and development. And since there are ideas, it means that there are opportunities to apply your abilities and talents.

In conclusion, we suggest watching the video — “STARTUP SHOW from Dmitry POTAPENKO”, where young entrepreneurs present their start-up small business projects.

And also a video about how an entrepreneur earned 17 million without investments:

You just need to believe in your strength, and, starting small, gradually move forward to high results and achievements.

The fashion for the term “startup” has led to the fact that now any small business in its infancy is called this way, regardless of its focus, model used and characteristic features. In an attempt to attract attention and attract investment, entrepreneurs are calling their rabbit farms and furniture-making workshops startups.

Features of start-up

Meanwhile, small business start-up projects in 2019 are fundamentally different from other types of entrepreneurship at the level of the idea and the method of its implementation. Such companies are temporary structures created to find a model that is extensible, repeatable and quickly scalable. Simply put, every successful startup has enormous growth potential that, if done correctly, can recoup the initial investment many times over. In addition, a genuine startup is characterized by several more distinctive features:

1. Creating a fundamentally new product or making improvements to existing ones. Thanks to this, young companies can compete in their field even with the largest market players, for whom profit is more important than innovation;
2. The idea of ​​a new business project is not only interesting, but also unique and non-standard in its own way. It is this that constitutes the main asset value of the company being created and serves as a kind of bait for investors;
3. The founders of the startup are young people, yesterday's students, full of strength, ambition and desire to create their own unique product;
4. A team of several people works primarily not for profit, but to implement the idea and prove its viability. This idea is the main link through which several people gather into a team and begin to act;
5. The evolution of a business project from scratch requires the mandatory attraction of investments. The volume of investments is determined by the stage of development of the company, the presence of a developed prototype and the organization of basic business processes;
6. A startup as a temporary structure cannot exist for long. Consistently passing through all stages, it either ceases to exist due to mistakes or miscalculations of the creators, or turns from a promising business project into a full-fledged company engaged in further developments in the chosen field.

There is an opinion that start-up projects are an innovative, knowledge-intensive product. This is partly true, but with some amendments: the main task of such companies is not only the development of high-tech gadgets, but also the use of advances to satisfy the most ordinary needs of customers, as well as to facilitate and increase the efficiency of any action, be it ordering a taxi or preparing a family meal. dinner.

Making a profit from a startup involves two possible ways: independent development of a business project with minimal investment or a profitable sale of an already operating enterprise to a large corporation. Thus, since 2001, Google has already bought more than a hundred young companies around the world that have developed software products in the field of mobile applications, Internet business and communication technologies. The transaction amounts ranged from seven million to twelve billion dollars.

Based on this information, there is a reasonable opinion that the most profitable business projects for beginners are websites and various services. The launch of such startups does not require huge initial investments, the purchase of raw materials, fixed assets, rental of premises and investments in advertising, and the main assets are the knowledge, time and intellectual work of the creators.

Virtual nutritionist

Excess weight, thanks to the fashion for a healthy lifestyle, has become a real problem for many. At the same time, belief in miracles makes people rely on diets and try to find a way to lose weight without any effort. Meanwhile, the solution is obvious: strict self-control and maintenance of energy balance - the number of calories consumed should not exceed the number expended.

To facilitate the calculation process, an interesting small business project was created - the Dia-Life service, which allows you to instantly calculate its energy value using the name of the product and approximate weight, and obtain information about the content of vitamins and microelements. Calorie consumption is calculated using a built-in calculator, in which you can specify many types of active activities. In addition, registered users have access to ready-made diets, recipes for low-calorie dishes and much more.

Subscription for set dinners

The next startup with minimal investment is the complete opposite of Dia-Life, as it is intended for lovers of exotic cuisine. The Swedish company Middax, on the basis of a weekly subscription, delivers to its customers kits consisting of recipes for national dishes from all over the world, as well as the necessary ingredients for their preparation.

The dishes are selected in such a way as to suit most customers and even children: for this, each of them is tested many times by volunteers. For those who suffer from allergic reactions, a selection of special lactose-free kits is available.

The cost of a weekly subscription is 750 CZK. This price includes recipes and meal ingredients for five days of the week for a family of four. Those in doubt can purchase test kits that include ingredients to prepare one dinner.

Service for finding doctors

Anyone who has been to a hospital knows about hours-long queues and difficulties in finding a competent doctor. In order to optimize the process of visiting medical centers in Minsk, 2doc was launched - a business project with minimal investment, which significantly simplifies the choice of a specialist and making an appointment.

Today, several dozen private and public clinics, represented by doctors with all major specializations (more than forty areas), are connected to the service, and thousands of patients have used its services.

A new way to rent a car

It would seem that it is difficult to come up with something new when it comes to car rental, but the creators of a startup idea from America noticed that hundreds of thousands of cars sit idle in the parking lots of major airports every day while their owners are on vacation or on a business trip.

It is logical to assume that car enthusiasts would prefer to save on the daily payment for a parking space, however, the authors of the project went further and offered them a reward of $10 for each day of rental. For those who want to use a car, the price is already $15 per day, however, part of the company's profits is spent on washing and refueling the car.

The idea of ​​this promising small business project is quite simple: before departure, the owner contacts a FlightCar representative and hands over the car to him, indicating the date of his return. The car is parked near the airport, from where any arriving passenger can pick it up and use it for a specified period. Upon returning, the owner finds the car in the same parking lot and receives his reward.

Mentor search service

How can you connect experienced executives who want to become mentors with young entrepreneurs who need help? The answer to this question is provided by Everwise, a New York business project with minimal costs, which allows you to select a business coach for individuals and entire teams. Well-known directors and top managers, representatives of large corporations can act as teachers.

A startup is interesting to both parties: novice entrepreneurs receive invaluable experience, and experienced businessmen receive a team consisting of young, active and ambitious employees. In addition, Everwise users are provided with tips and tricks for self-education, lists of books, videos and tutorials that will be very useful for studying. The service also provides a system for monitoring personal development, a mechanism for setting goals and tracking the process of achieving them.

Project "Here-Here"

The development of online services can be considered one of the most affordable small business projects with low investments. Knowledge in the field of programming and design is quite enough to develop a worthy and popular product: this is the path taken by the Moscow authors of the startup “What-what”, who created an application to solve the problem of communication between fathers and children.

It is known that addiction to gadgets is typical for modern teenagers. Parents greatly contribute to the development of this hobby when, in an attempt to keep their child occupied, they hand him yet another electronic “entertainment” and forget about their direct responsibilities. With the help of the application, the developers hope to change the existing trend and twice a week they send their clients new tasks aimed at developing communication with children. The emphasis is on teaching the child creative thinking, the ability to dream, and reason logically.

Aimed at boys and girls ages 6-12, the app is free to download, but additional tips are available with a paid subscription.

Design resumes

It is difficult to find an employer who, when searching for an employee for a vacant position, would not require a resume from candidates. However, HR workers note that all applicants provide boring template forms and standard texts that do not attract attention.

As a result, the Loftresumes service was created - an original business project for beginners, which allows you to choose an original and memorable appearance for your resume based on pre-prepared layouts for $99. Reworking the text, adding pages, the author's unique design and urgency of order fulfillment are paid additionally, but as a result, the client receives an electronic document that can be printed or immediately sent to the employer.

Although this idea of ​​a startup without investment is not a fundamentally new approach to writing a resume, it was the originality of the design that attracted the attention of several thousand users to the project.

Business based on complaints

Many of us are prevented from mastering the art of writing complaints and reclamations by lack of time, non-confrontational nature, or ignorance of the intricacies of bureaucratic language. Meanwhile, everyone at least once found themselves in a situation where the rudeness of service personnel, poor performance of official duties or fraud of management companies led to damage not only moral, but also material.

To help people protect their rights, the creators of an Australian startup with minimal investment in 2019 offered users their services in correctly filing claims and submitting them to the appropriate authorities. The vast experience, perseverance and professionalism of the authors of this business project with minimal investment for beginners allows them to win almost hopeless cases: they once returned more than eighty thousand dollars to the budget of one married couple. This confidence in success allows startup founders to charge clients only if the results are positive.

Meeting tourists with locals

When going to a foreign country or an unfamiliar city, 69% of tourists prefer to have local friends who will help organize leisure time, show them the sights or explain the intricacies of the local mentality.

Despite the fact that the creators of the Belarusian project MeetnGreetMe focus primarily on the capitals, this idea for a startup in a small city, if there are interesting places and architectural monuments, may turn out to be no less popular. The scheme is quite simple: a foreign traveler uses the service to find a local resident who agrees to provide guide services for a certain amount. Non-standard programs are especially valued - not visiting museums and theaters, but a bathhouse, mushroom picking, the opportunity to live a couple of days in the rural outback.

The idea of ​​such a business project for a small town is not new, but previously the services of a personal assistant were available only to wealthy clients. The authors’ goal is not an impressive budget, but accessibility and popularization of their native land.

Vegetables from your own garden

Ideas to transfer games like “Farm Frenzy” into real life have been expressed more than once, but it was the Italians who first implemented a similar business project in agriculture, calling it Le verdure del mio orto (“Vegetables from my garden”).

The idea of ​​the project is as follows: the user of the service selects a virtual plot on the website and plants it with fruits and vegetables from the proposed list. All his actions are repeated in a real vegetable garden located on one of the farms in Northern Italy. After paying the rent (16–32 euros per week, depending on the area), the beds are processed according to all the rules by professional farmers. As vegetables and fruits ripen, they are delivered to the tenant’s home.

This small town or rural start-up has received a lot of positive feedback: users are attracted not only by the game-like process, but also by the opportunity to get their own organic products, different from the vegetables offered in supermarkets, treated with all sorts of chemicals.

Video on the topic Video on the topic

Infinite flash drive

Every active Internet user accumulates a huge amount of materials, documents, games, videos and photographs over time. Of course, you can store them on your computer, but carrying a laptop or hard drive with you everywhere is not always convenient. Therefore, flash cards and flash drives are widely used as a practical and compact storage of information, but they are not without drawbacks in the form of limited volume and insufficient data security. In an attempt to solve these problems, Samara startupers designed an “endless flash drive” Flashsafe, through which information is uploaded to an anonymous and encrypted cloud storage.

The “endless flash drive” itself has software that allows you to access data from any device. In fact, this is a kind of key that replaces the means of authorization on the service. Even in the absence of access to the Internet, the device allows you to store up to 8GB of information, and if you have a network connection, the amount of data is almost unlimited.

Cube with cartoons

Many startups dedicate their small business projects to working with children and overcoming their addiction to gadgets. One of these innovative projects became very popular in 2016: this unique portable projector weighing 250 grams, called “Multicubic” by its creators.

The device’s 8GB of memory allows you to record and project films, cartoons, and play audio stories onto any available surface at a distance of up to three meters. Thus, “Multikubik” is a kind of home theater, which, thanks to the simplicity of the interface, a child can easily handle independently.

The developers claim that conventional electronic devices cause poor posture in children, hyperexcitability, weakened vision and lead to weakened social skills, since the child is left to his own devices at such moments. At the same time, “Multikubik” is free from these shortcomings and allows you to organize leisure time not only on your own, but also in the company of friends.

Conclusion

Examples of successful startups show that promising business projects do not necessarily have to be based on some innovative futuristic developments. It is enough to find an unusual and non-standard solution to any of the problems associated with human activity.

At the same time, many startups develop quite successfully without investment or external financing. The main assets in these projects are the knowledge and work of the developers, as well as their desire to offer the world something new and useful. Of course, not all of them will eventually turn into full-fledged companies, but based on their experience we can draw a conclusion: even a small team of like-minded people has all the sufficient resources to create a viable and profitable business from scratch, based on just one idea.
21 voted. Rating: 4.76 out of 5)

A startup company (from the English startup, start-up) is a new company with a rapidly growing business, the goal of which is to meet the needs of the market by developing a viable business model based on an innovative product, service or platform.

Articles and news about the best startups, in which you will learn what successful ideas are being implemented by other entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world, as well as lists of companies in which the largest business accelerators invest.

The Best Business Startups and Crowdfunding Campaigns

A look at the latest products and inventions featured on Kickstarter and Indiegogo in March 2019, with the most money. The percentage opposite the name shows the excess of the collected amount (at the time of publication of the article) from the originally requested amount. Portable sound recording...

38 best crowdfunding campaigns for January-February 2019

An overview of the latest products and inventions presented on Kickstarter and Indiegogo in January-February 2019, which received the largest sums. The percentage opposite the name shows the excess of the collected amount (at the time of publication of the article) from the originally requested amount. Spices in packaging from OCCO...

On January 17, Japan's Astro Live Experiences (ALE), as part of its space startup, launched the first microsatellite designed to create artificial meteors. Each microsatellite launches 400 tiny balls measuring 1-2 cm in size. When they enter the atmosphere, they...

How do others make money? Review of the best crowdfunding campaigns for December 2018

A look at the latest products and inventions on Kickstarter and Indiegogo that have received the most money. The percentage opposite the name shows the excess of the collected amount (at the time of publication of the article) from the originally requested amount. Board games Tales of Evil - 427.79% Requested by:...

National Startup Awards 2018: a look at the winners of the annual Irish business innovation awards

With a prize fund of €15,000, the National Startup Awards is the most prestigious and largest startup award in Ireland, which is designed to monitor success in the development and creation of promising innovative projects. This year, the award statuettes will be awarded in...

How do others make money? Review of the best crowdfunding campaigns for November 2018

An overview of the newest products and inventions presented on crowdfunding platforms and which have received the largest sums. The number opposite the name shows the percentage excess of the collected amount (at the time of publication of the article) from the amount requested at the start. Board game Welcome...

10 Startups Selected by 500 Startups Miami for Free Support and Mentorship

500 Startups Miami has selected 10 startups to participate in the 2018 Miami Growth Program Batch, a 10-week program that allows startups to accelerate their growth by receiving free support such as access to professional...

40 startups that the world's largest accelerators invested in in 2018

An overview of the investments of the four largest business accelerators in the world (Y Combinator, Techstars, 500Startups and AngelPad) in 2018. This article used data from the Seed-DB website. In short, they mainly selected startups in the field of information services, security, machine learning,...

It has become commonplace that millions of people around the world wait one to two years for a cornea transplant. Startup MyCornea aims to reduce this waiting period to six weeks. Cambridge University students working on the project have developed a process...

Drone "Dragon" from Asia

Researchers from the JSK Laboratory at the University of Tokyo have invented a “dragon drone” consisting of several small drones. According to IEEE, this flying structure is capable of transforming while in flight. The drone can not only take on different shapes (some...

The Xpand Quick Release System - a modern solution for forever untying laces

Shoelaces that always come undone are one of the biggest everyday problems, for which no competent solution has been found to this day. Many different knots and special lacing of boots only partially slow down this process, but it is not possible to achieve the full effect...

Nowadays startups are in trend. And there is nothing surprising in this - an explosive idea for business development not only in Russia, but throughout the world, can bring a lot of income in the shortest possible time. Moreover, this idea must be innovative, which will make it possible to earn a lot of money even in highly competitive niches where entry into novice businessmen with small capital is prohibited.

One of the main conditions for the successful development of a startup is considered to be a non-standard approach to banal things, the main goal of which is to solve problems or provide unique services to the end consumer. Financing of explosive small business projects in the new 2017, which in the future is capable of bringing sky-high dividends, can be carried out through one’s own savings, the capital of a private investor or the assets of venture funds.

What is venture business?

It is not for nothing that we decided to start our review of startups with the venture business, since these two concepts closely intersect with each other. On the one hand, if a small enterprise has a high-tech project based on the latest technological developments, then it is possible to draw up a business plan and a clear development strategy.

On the other hand, if you have capital, you can organize a venture fund yourself with an authorized capital of 10-15 million dollars and start financing promising startup projects in 2017. Each investor who decides to organize his own venture company to finance innovation in Russia (and on the world market) assumes responsibility for the high risks of investing assets.

However, it should be understood that the profit from financing startups can be calculated with an indecently large “number of zeros” after a known figure. A striking example of well-thought-out explosive projects are the social network Facebook (could Comrade Zuckerberg have thought that he would be among the richest people on the planet?), the game of millions World of Tanks (as well as other Wargaming projects) and others.

The owner of the fund is interested in receiving excess profits, therefore, if the project is truly worthwhile, funding will not be long in coming. In addition, venture capital companies are co-owners of the company’s shares, which are sold to the co-owner after the startup becomes a profit. Thus, both parties are interested in the development of an innovative idea and the financial growth of the project.

Advice: For the development of a small business that will be based on innovation, a certain amount will be required to start. You can use your own capital, take out a loan from a bank (as in most cases with opening a small business in Russia), resort to crowdfunding, or turn to business incubators and business accelerators. Innovations in the IT industry are the most in demand, so this industry will never go unnoticed by investors.

Successful startup project ideas 2017

It’s easy to guess that the fewer competitors there are in a niche, the higher the profit from the activities of a small enterprise in Russia will be. Let’s look at successful projects – and they will be relevant not only in 2017.

Business on wheels

Mobile housing for holidaymakers . This type of activity is in demand in resort areas, where people wanting to relax are a dime a dozen. The idea is to produce mobile residential houses and rent them out to tourist centers, holiday homes, boarding houses and private entrepreneurs. Judge for yourself how popular this project will be in Russia, since there are a lot of resort areas in the vastness of the country. In addition, this direction is relevant all year round, since in summer houses can be rented on sea beaches, and in winter, for example, at ski resorts. During the development of the project, part of the profit can be used to rent land or a recreation center in a resort area, which will significantly increase income. The service of delivering mobile housing to customers to their immediate vacation spot is also very popular.

Mobile cafe with exotic cuisine . have become a common thing for ordinary people - wherever you go, everywhere you can see mobile trade with a variety of goods on the shelves. The idea of ​​such a startup is to popularize exotic fast food dishes. Today they can be tasted mainly in expensive restaurants, which not everyone can afford to visit. A mobile restaurant on wheels can serve a considerable number of visitors. To launch a project in Russia, you will need permission from local authorities to rent land (not needed), a van equipped with kitchen equipment, and several sets of tables and chairs for visitors. You can come up with a menu for your restaurant by getting dish ideas from the Internet or from various cooking shows. If necessary, they can always be replaced with more popular treats. It is worth noting that when stationary restaurants are opened within a year, only one out of 10 survives. As for mobile cafes, out of the same number of open “establishments,” only 2-3 cannot withstand competition. It's worth thinking about, especially if you don't know the restaurant business.

Dairy kitchen on wheels . The idea of ​​this startup is outrageously simple - daily sale of natural milk to the population. This area will almost always be in demand, since milk is one of the most important food products, so the demand for it will always be high. In addition, do not forget that it is dismantled early in the morning, so by lunchtime the tank is usually already empty. You can start such a small business in any city by installing a barrel of milk in a residential area. To implement the project, you need to purchase a stainless steel barrel that can be attached to a car. Then you need to find a farm to purchase fresh milk (every morning), and also take it to the nearest sanitary and epidemiological station to obtain certificates confirming the suitability of the products for human consumption. Since milk is not a staple food item in supermarkets, there are unlikely to be any problems with "nearby" competitors. It is necessary to set the selling price slightly lower than the store price, and the flow of buyers will not be long in coming.

Providing services to the population

Providing related medical services to the population . To implement such a project, you do not need to have a specialized education, since the idea is to collect a database of medical institutions in Russian cities and provide information to a person upon request for a certain amount. For example, an entrepreneur can keep statistics for a region (locality) on a number of diseases. This should also include the cost of medications and their generics (cheap analogues) in city pharmacies. Services must necessarily include detailed information about dental clinics (private and public) with a detailed list of services and prices. It is also necessary to collect a complete database of practicing doctors in the city of various specializations. It is also worth adding patient reviews about the work of a particular specialist, the specifics of his work, etc.

Dating from the Internet to real life . This quest has already become popular in Russia. And by 2017 the project will become quite profitable. You can start such a business with virtually no investment. It is known that in today's bustle, many people have practically no time for their personal lives and, accordingly, for dating (it is not surprising why many people meet through the global network). The idea of ​​the project is this: you organize a meeting for 20-30 people (men and women should be equally divided) via the Internet, for example, in a city cafe. It is necessary to agree in advance with the management of the establishment about the upcoming event and organize tables with light snacks and drinks. Naturally, the meeting of people will not be free. You need to figure out the cost of tickets for the upcoming speed date yourself.

Production

Production of fuel briquettes . The idea of ​​the startup is to produce briquettes for heating from wood waste. You can safely invest in this line of business, since fuel is unlikely to be “cheaper than mushrooms” in the near future. Moreover, cheap sawdust can be purchased at any sawmill or wood processing plant. You will also need to buy drying chambers. In addition to wood shavings, you can use charcoal, peat and other natural raw materials.

Manufacturing of double-glazed windows for metal-plastic window structures . Today, this startup is in demand in Russia, and for its implementation it is necessary to purchase professional equipment. The cost of the production line will cost 35 thousand euros, approximately the same amount is needed to purchase equipment for sealing finished products. You will also need to rent production space. On average, in 1 working month your small business will bring in about 6 thousand euros (if you take into account that you will sell 300 m² of ready-made packages at a wholesale price to companies involved in the assembly of metal-plastic window structures).

Advice: Speaking about the economy, we should mention the sale of “used” building materials. We are talking about a startup related to the dismantling of dilapidated and abandoned buildings, thanks to which bricks and building stones can be obtained. Starting a business is quite simple; to do this, you need to obtain permission from the village council (it’s not like dismantling schools in the city) and organize teams of workers.

Production of living notebooks . This area has no competition, so if you manage to occupy this niche in time, you can raise a lot of money. On the cover of the notebook there is an image with various heroes or cartoon characters. If a person points the lens of his mobile gadget at a notebook, the same hero will come out of it and begin to communicate. This is simply incredible, so the production of such notebooks will pay for itself very quickly. In addition, this type of activity does not require large capital investments.

Business the American way

It's no secret that many ideas of successful startups were adopted from Americans. Let's look at what they came up with on the opposite continent and what business ideas are in demand overseas.

Startup for the “lawn mower” . Lown-Love - this is exactly what they came up with in the USA to call a monetary project related to landscaping gardens and personal plots. Its idea is simple: this information portal acts as an intermediary between a potential customer and professional gardeners. The customer provides data on his plot and information about how he wants his garden to look like, and the service selects a specialist for him who will do this work. Then payment for services is made through the website, the service removes its commission, and the customer receives the ideal landscape. Lone Love acts as a guarantor of the quality of the services provided, so a person can be confident in the services ordered.

Startup Detective . Resourceful Americans were among the first to resort to the services of private detectives who conducted surveillance of any object. Without violating human rights, it will be very difficult to trace him from a legal point of view. The Tile project is based on the development of key fobs with an active tracking function and the transfer of relevant data to a mobile device, for which the customer needs to purchase a mobile application. This service is very popular, and such a business has already managed to bring its owners about 20 million dollars.

Earning money from a healthy lifestyle . The unusual project has already brought its owners more than one million and continues to gain popularity. The customer wants to eat some dish, for which he needs to order special ingredients via the Internet from the delivery service. They are delivered at a strictly specified time. The highlight of this service is the fact that the ingredients are supplied to the customer with detailed instructions for preparing a dish from the selected menu.

Travel companions. The uncontrollable craving of Americans for hitchhiking gave rise 10 years ago to the idea of ​​​​creating the BlaBlaCar service, which is now popular in Russia. Each person can easily find a travel companion or, conversely, find a driver who will take you anywhere inexpensively (along the way). It is known that some venture capital companies have invested over $100 million in the future of this service.

Internet business

Every freelancer can organize an explosive online business that will generate substantial income by providing remote services to consumers. There can be a great variety of ideas for profitable startups, ranging from providing advice (legal, business, accounting) to international trade.

One of the profitable areas is the resale of cheap and high-quality goods made in China on the consumer market of Russia and a number of other countries. Also, in the near future, the services of remote specialists will be in demand, for example, SEO copywriters and translators (without investing their own funds).

If you are a specialist in any type of activity, you can organize paid online training courses for everyone via the Internet. Examples of such startups include courses on learning how to do business online, writing articles using search queries of any frequency and word forms, playing the guitar, programming in modern languages, martial arts, etc.

An excellent option for investing money and running a business via the Internet can be franchising. This is a ready-made business where they cooperate on mutually beneficial terms. The owner of the trademark (business) receives from the entrepreneur at a certain frequency and helps him in every possible way in promoting the brand.

Save the article in 2 clicks:

Anyone can use the Internet to attract customers to their business, even if it operates offline. The main thing here is to carefully think through the idea of ​​a startup and approach its implementation from a non-standard angle, which will allow you to be one step ahead of your competitors.

In contact with