In recent years, the startups have stood out as one of the main contributors to the global economy and a source of employment around the world. Likewise, the number of support to startups also increased. Investors and organizations are increasingly interested in help business to achieve success.
For an entrepreneur who is to start your business is important to know first what are the support to startups existing. In addition, it is necessary to identify how and when they provide this support, in order to ensure that when this help, the entrepreneur will know where to go.
incubators
These entities are organizations working help companies or individuals who are in the very early stages of their business. Here, innovative ideas are incubated with the aim of developing a Business model and after, open to business.
incubators it may be independent or managed or sponsored by other entities. These can be government entities, large corporations, venture capital companies, investors, among others.
Normally the selection process startups it is done through competitions that take place throughout the year. In these, entrepreneurs can apply by making a brief presentation of your business idea, where the applications are subsequently analyzed by those responsible for these organizations. The most innovative and appealing ideas will be welcomed by the Incubation programs existing where the idea will be refined, developed the business plan, worked the adjustment of the product in the market, between various other services.
These entities assist the startups with longer business development. The time and resources needed to design and build an efficient and sustainable business model are provided. The percentage of shares of each startup reception tends to be higher than that received by the accelerator and investment provided to startups They come from own incubators. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare proposals to attract external investors.
Thus, incubators They are similar to business schools where entrepreneurs with innovative ideas are taught how to start a startup Of success.
In most cases, the startups winning move-for workplace specific place where they share the place, promoting networking between entrepreneurs and mentors. Also, there are several incubators that have the possibility to offer virtual incubation.
accelerators
As the name implies, this type of support to startups accelerate the growth of an existing business. I.e, startups that are already at a more advanced stage, where they already have some kind of prototype or product made. These help startups to reach a level of growth in just a few months when alone it would take years.
The acceleration program they facilitate the development of projects as well as provide tools in order to establish solid value propositions and then have more chances to obtain external investments. accelerators are very timely. they offer programs whose period is 3/4 months where they invest in exchange for a small share of the startup.
accelerators usually work closely with the companies with which they have partnerships, which leads to selecting startups that correspond to the requirements of these partners and investors. There is, therefore, an ease in creating relationships between these entities, which does not happen with incubators where there are no restricted affiliations with corporate partners.
Hubs
Hub is the name given to entrepreneurial style ecosystems with the purpose of connecting people, making them work together, exchange information, create and undertake. These environments are composed of several startups, big enterprises, accelerators, incubators, new ventures, investors thus offering connection opportunities. Furthermore, these spaces are used in a community way and involve large spaces such as cities with common characteristics.
Venture Builder
Also known as tech studios, startup factories or venture production studios. These are organizations that build companies internally, from pre-conceptual operations to large-scale operations.
Many, in addition to creating and incubating ideas internally, also make investments in startups outside the company, usually in the seed stage.
Unlike incubators e accelerators, these do not accept applications from startups external organizations do not even have a competitive program.
These organizations have internally strong and experienced teams made up of professionals from the most diverse sectors (management, engineering, programming, marketing) who will be assigned to the projects that arise. In addition, capital, resources, business model projections, MVP development, among others are carried out. At startups they share resources and are expected to become independent entities after reaching maturity.
Venture Capitalists
Venture capitalists are investors who finance startups and small businesses with long-term growth potential. These investors can be individuals or companies and are usually involved in several projects at the same time. This leads to less time available for Auxiliary startups but they keep track of what is done in each of them. For this reason, this is a good option for companies that are ready for the growth phase, where the business concepts and matrices are already defined.
These entities typically bet on startups who feel they are more likely to be successful, regardless of their field. These individuals are aware of the risk that exists in financing companies of this uncertain nature, which makes venture capitalists share control of the startup with the founders, always having a say in all decisions made for the startup.
Business Angels
Business Angels they are usually retired individuals or former entrepreneurs, who want to help the new generations, investing their own money in startups and entrepreneurs. As they usually invest in companies in areas where they are specialists, they, in addition to financial support, provide advice and follow-up, especially in the most difficult phases that may arise. For this reason, this is a good option for startups who are at an early stage, where a mentor is needed to guide and advise on certain business matters.
These entities have more time to dedicate to the projects they choose to invest in, but they do not expect to be involved in managing the business, playing only an indirect role in these businesses.
consulting firms
These entities are made up of professionals capable of diagnosing or formulating solutions in a particular area or on a particular business issue. A consultant is usually hired by startup for a short period of time where he assists with his experience in order to solve a certain problem.
The working method of these professionals follows the following logic: elaboration of a diagnosis of the functional areas of startup in question, identifying the strengths and weaknesses as well as the threats and opportunities of this, and proposing specific solutions and changes for the areas most in need after analysis.
national and international institutions
Currently there are numerous support to startups dedicated to assisting these in their business phases. Several governmental institutions, both national and international, offer several competitions throughout the year for support entrepreneurs and startups. As startups Those who win these contests generally earn incentives or monetary funds over a period of time, in order to aid the company's growth.
IT Companies
Another type of support that has gained prominence is technology companies. Since these are made up of teams of technological professionals, this can be a good option in startups technological character whose entrepreneur does not have much or no technical knowledge to develop their product or service.
Another interesting factor of these companies is that, in addition to providing development support, they currently also provide other support, such as advice, refinement of the business idea and even launching it on the market.
These types of support to startups have some common goals: to drive business growth, offer operational efficiency and benefits, but the way to achieve them differs considerably. It is up to the founders to decide which is best for their type of business and when to get help.
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