Every startup has a natural progression, no matter who you are. Typically it goes something like this:
- Early-stage validation
- Have an idea
- Crank out an MVP (minimum viable product)
- Get that MVP to customers
- Establish feedback loop
- Make sure customers appreciate the product
- Establish a customer/product development feedback loop so the customer can improve the product
- Build a company
- Hire to fill initial capacities
- Find product market fit
- Market product to reach all target consumers
- Build teams
- Raise more money
Most people who reach out to us are in stages 1-4. More than anything, we look at the people who approach us. Do they value our time and theirs? Do they know their numbers? Are they realistic about their total addressable market? Do they have the will and grit to carry on in adversity? Do they have self-awareness or are they egotistical prima donnas? Believe it or not, we can gauge all of these things in one meeting, oftentimes in less than 30 minutes. It’s mainly because we’ve seen so many folks come through with their wacky ideas – the wacky part of it isn’t the problem – it’s oftentimes the people themselves who are the problem. If you are one of those armchair “visionary” types who just spew out ideas and don’t know (or care about) the first thing about execution, we kindly show you the door. We have a special spite for people like this. But know your stuff, stay humble, demonstrate passion, perseverance, and resourcefulness, and you’ll go a long way. Let us give you a leg up!
That said, most of our startups are in MVP mode when they approach us. For those who we go with, we do everything we can to help them prove their MVP and get growth to the next level. But it all has to start somewhere. We encourage anyone who is interested in creating greatness to take that next step. You never know what the future may hold.
Altissian Ventures | Masamune Enterprises Inc. 