How much traction should a start-up have before considering outside funding or investment? How many paying customers? How much revenue? Is there a rule of thumb from your experience? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

It really depends on the industry type and product type, geography and market timing. 24 months ago, any old group buying or local deal site was getting funded, these days, none of them are. It’s hard to say.

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Hi, I'm a small start-up wholesale business that imports to the U.S, then resales to retailers. I realize I need to grow my products and my market, and i want to make the t...

Answered by Andrew Patricio – Founder, BizLaunch

It's always tough to work out what inventory you require in start up. Have you thought of finding a supplier that can drop ship directly for you? (more)

Hi Scott, thanks for taking the time to do this. Do you have any rule of thumb to calculate support overhead per customer? As a newly funded startup growing rapidly I'm won...

Answered by Scott Rutherford – Founder, UserVoice

So, I don't know that there is a specific rule of thumb. It all depends on the complexity of your application. However, I have always liked to take the approach that every ... (more)

What is the best way to have market a start up when one has limited funding? Social Media,Organic Growth, Blogs articles, SEO, which is the best? It all seems difficult to...

Answered by Jen Evans – Founder, Sequentia Environics

The first thing you need to do as a startup is engage with your prospective customers. Frequently the inclination is to talk to the world. It's impossible to go from talkin... (more)

trying to get exposure for a start up i'm working for, suggestions? tried sending press kits to media, no responses.

Answered by Saul Colt – WOM Expert

Trying to get exposure for a start up is hard work. Instead of focusing on the media why not focus on who your possible customers will be. If you know your customers you wi... (more)

As a start up, at what point do you typically hire a PR company. Or what prevents you from engaging with one in the first place?

Answered by Amber MacArthur – Entrepreneur and tech journalist. Posted in Marketing

If you have the funds, a PR company can be great help. However, thanks to social media, you can try to do your own outreach efforts using multiple SM sites and services. (more)

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