Getting a startup off the ground is exhilarating and challenging. The first 100 days of your new venture set the tone for success or failure – this period can “make or break” a startup. Early decisions and actions – from legal setup to first customers – compound quickly.
This article breaks the first 100 days into manageable phases with an actionable checklist. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you cover the essentials of launch, avoid common pitfalls, and build a strong foundation for growth. Days 1–30: Laying the Foundations 1.
Validate Your Idea and Audience. Start by talking to potential customers and peers before building anything. Conduct informal market research – use free tools (SurveyMonkey, Google Forms) or in- person interviews – to test your assumptions.
Define your target market and ideal customer profile. Epirus VC notes that clarifying the problem you solve and who you serve in month one is critical. 2.
Assemble Your Founding Team (if applicable). Decide whether you need co-founders or key early hires. Take time to find complementary skills and commitment.
If you’re solo, consider early advisors or mentors for specialized areas (legal, tech, marketing). The UK Startups guide recommends even in month one to “Consider a co-founder” or early advisory network. 3.
Clarify Your Vision and Metrics. Set broad business goals (e. g.
first 100 users, $X revenue, key partnerships). Define key metrics (e. g.
sign-ups, retention, revenue) to track your progress. Use frameworks like Lean Canvas or a one-page business plan to outline value proposition and go-to-market approach. For example, the Stripe checklist suggests writing down your business model, target customer, and key tasks.
4. Establish Legal and Administrative Basics. During the first month, get legalities sorted.
Register your company or LLC, obtain any necessary licenses, and apply for a tax ID/EIN. Open a dedicated business bank account or credit card to separate personal and company finances. If you’re in the U.
S., consider using Stripe Atlas, LegalZoom, or similar to streamline incorporation. 5. Set Up Essential Infrastructure.
Create your startup’s branding and online presence: - Name, Logo, and Domain: Finalize a startup name and reserve matching domain name. Design a simple logo (free tools like Canva can help). - Website and Social Media : Launch at least a basic website (WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace) that explains your product/service.
Set up social media profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or others relevant to your audience). - Basic Tech Stack: Choose tools for productivity and collaboration (e. g.
Trello/Asana for project management, Slack or Microsoft Teams for communication). Use a CRM or spreadsheet to track leads and contacts.
Tech compliance:
Create an email address at your domain (founders@, hello@, etc.). Install SSL on your site. Keep track of passwords securely (e.
g. LastPass, 1Password). 6.
Gather Early Feedback. Even before the official launch, get feedback on prototypes or landing pages. Use low-fidelity MVPs or mockups.
Tools like Figma or InVision (for UI/UX mockups) and no-code website builders (Bubble, Webflow) allow you to test ideas cheaply. Collect email sign-ups on your site and reach out to these early interests. This helps validate product-market fit.
Days 31–60: Launching Your Minimum Viable Product 1. Build and Test Your MVP. With initial validation, start building your MVP (Minimum Viable Product).
Focus on core features – avoid “feature creep.” If you’re technical, begin coding; if not, use no-code platforms. During development, continuously test with real users and iterate based on feedback. Stripe emphasizes tracking simple metrics (sign-up rates, engagement) to guide improvements.
2. Finalize Your Go-To-Market Plan.
Clearly define your launch strategy:
- - Marketing Plan: Identify launch channels (content marketing, PR, partnerships, [[LINK4]]). Prepare a content calendar and press list. - Sales Strategy: Outline how you will sell or distribute (direct sales, online store, marketplaces). Prepare any sales collateral or [[LINK5]]. - Customer Support: Decide on support channels (email, chat, helpdesk). Set up a simple FAQ or help page. 3. Secure Early Partnerships or Distribution. Reach out to potential partners (complementary products, industry influencers, reseller networks). Even informal collaborations can widen your reach. For example, Dropbox famously added referral incentives by partnering social logins. Brainstorm creative low-cost distribution (guest blogging, co-hosted webinars, joint promotions). 4. Prepare Key Marketing Assets.
Create content that you’ll use at launch:
- - Blog posts or articles relevant to your audience (or refine those already drafted). - Graphics and videos to explain your product (explainer video, infographics). - Email templates for outreach (customer welcome, media pitch). Ensure these assets are polished; first impressions matter. 5. Establish Financial Foundations. Finalize your budgets and financial tracking. Set up basic accounting (free tools like Wave or paid like QuickBooks) and track every expense carefully. Apply for any small- business [[LINK6]]s or incubator programs if available. Keep [[LINK7]]-diy-funding-strategies. html">runway in mind – ensure you have enough capital (or apply for small [[LINK8]]s/credit lines) to sustain at least through the next milestones. 6. Get Your Team Ready. If you need to hire or contract help (developers, marketers), start the process now. Define roles and job descriptions. Also consider bringing an accountant on board to handle taxes and payroll compliance. For example, the Startups UK checklist suggests finding an accountant early if finances get complex. Days 61–100: Growth, Iteration, and Momentum 1. Official Launch and Promotion. Roll out your product or service publicly.
Use the assets and plan you prepared:
- - Announce on social media and press (email journalists, blogs). - Email your early sign-ups with launch news and special offers. - Encourage users to share (consider a simple referral program like a discount for inviting friends – it’s a low-cost growth hack). 2. Measure Results and Iterate.
Track KPIs closely in these first weeks post-launch:
- - Monitor traffic, sign- ups, conversions (use Google Analytics/GA4, and any relevant dashboards). - Solicit user feedback actively – surveys or quick interviews. Identify what’s working and what’s not. - Be prepared to pivot or tweak product features. As the Epirus VC team explains, startups should remain agile: if early data shows a different core user need, pivot accordingly. For example, if Instagram quickly learns what users want (their “biggest USP” was ease of use ), you too might refine your offering. 3. Strengthen Your Brand Story. Develop clear messaging and a compelling narrative. Create a concise pitch (the “elevator pitch”) that explains your startup’s mission and value. Practice telling your story authentically – people invest in founders as much as products. Use real anecdotes from your journey (e. g. why you built this, what problem inspired you) to connect with customers and investors. 4. Scale Customer Acquisition. With initial traction, amplify your marketing: - Expand content marketing: publish more blog posts or videos answering customer questions (SEO will help bring inbound traffic ). - Launch targeted social media campaigns or ads (once you have some revenue, reinvest in high-ROI channels). - Engage PR: pitch case studies or success stories to local media or industry outlets. 5. Build a Community. Leverage word-of-mouth by building a community around your product. Create forums or social groups (Slack, Discord, Facebook Group) for early adopters. Encourage discussions and let your community members share tips with each other. Recognize and reward super-users (feature them on your blog, give swag). A loyal community not only drives referrals but also provides invaluable feedback. 6. Plan the Next Steps. Use the momentum of 100 days to set long-term plans. Update your business plan and financial model with real data. Consider fund-raising if needed (angel or seed). Ensure that every step forward aligns with your long-term vision.
And remember Epirus VC’s advice:
maintain the growth mindset beyond day 100. Keep iterating, experimenting, and prioritizing tasks that move metrics. Checklist and Tools Summary Idea/Market Validation: Google Forms surveys, in-person interviews, LinkedIn polls.
Company Setup:
LegalZoom/Stripe Atlas (incorporation), QuickBooks/Wave (accounting).
MVP Build:
Trello/Asana (task tracking), GitHub (code), Figma (design). Website/Branding: WordPress/Wix, Canva (graphics), Google Analytics (traffic).
Marketing Launch:
Mailchimp (email blasts), Hootsuite/Buffer (social posts), Hunter. io (PR contacts). Analytics & Iteration: Google Analytics, Mixpanel/Segment (user metrics), Hotjar (user feedback).
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Conclusion:
Taking the Next Step Your startup’s first 100 days should be packed with focus and discipline. By following this checklist – from foundational setup to launch-day execution and beyond – you’ll maximize your chances of success. Remember, flexibility is key: adjust the plan as you learn.
Next steps:
start by validating your idea today, set up those legal and digital foundations this week, and map out your 100-day timeline. With clear goals and consistent effort, you’ll build momentum that carries your startup well past day 100.