Getting Started Checklistpowered by FoundersuiteTM

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1. Capture The Idea. Use the Business Model Canvas (created by Business Model Generation) to work through your concept. Don’t worry about every little detail here... consider this a framework to help you think through the general ideas of the business.

2. Start Sketching. If you have a product-centered business, begin wireframing the product. There are many free or low-cost wireframing tools such as Balsamiq, Hotgloo, and Flying Pixels among others; however, freehand sketches are just as valuable for starting out (and can even help you get your ideas down faster).

3. Get Feedback. Get crowd-sourced feedback and validate your concept using Foundersuite’s Idea Validation Module. Getting outside input and/or feedback on your idea early and often is the key to building a company that wins in its market.

4. Choose Your Name. Pick a name by completing the Naming Your Company worksheet. Check to see if the name is available or in-use. In addition to general Google searches, a good starting point is to search the entity database of Delaware, since DE is the preferred state for incorporating.

5. Buy The Web Domain. Purchase a URL through sites like GoDaddy or 1and1 for the name you selected. If a related URL is not available, revisit the Naming Your Company worksheet. Resist the temptation to get ‘creative’ by picking a domain name with dashes �����VHSDUDWLQJ�ZRUGV�RU�E\�GURSSLQJ�YRZHOV��WKRXJK�VRPH�VWDUWXSV�¿QG�DQ�DFFHSWDEOH�ZRUN�����DURXQG�E\�DGGLQJ�WKH�SUH¿[�³JHW´�WR�\RXU�QDPH��RU�E\�RSWLQJ�IRU�D��FR�RU��LR�GRPDLQ�LQVWHDG� of .com.

6. Run A Trademark Search. Search trademarks�WR�¿QG�LI�DQ\�ODQJXDJH�,3�LV�DYDLODEOH��VXFK������DV�D�QDPH�RU�VORJDQ�WKDW�\RX�FDQ�WUDGHPDUN���,I�\RX�¿QG�DQRWKHU�¿UP�XVLQJ�WKH�QDPH�LQ�WKH� same sector or industry as you, consider revisiting the Naming Your Company worksheet.

7. Trademark it. If clear, it is a good idea to contact an attorney to do a full trademark search. Depending on the results of the search, consider either trademarking the name or again �����UHYLVLWLQJ�WKH�³1DPLQJ�<RXU�&RPSDQ\´�ZRUNVKHHW���6RPH�UHVRXUFHV�WR�KHOS�\RX�¿QG�DQ� attorney include Avvo and FindLaw.com.

8. Pick Your Corporate Structure. Use the Corporate Entity Choice Wizard to determine which legal structure best suits your company. For more information on company structures, visit SBA.gov.

Congratulations! Starting a company can be immensely rewarding and exciting…but it can also be confusing and time consuming. By following the checklists within Foundersuite, you’ll get a basic overview of the steps that should be taken in order to set up and position your startup properly.

Enough talking – let’s get started!

Color key: Orange means there’s a template in the Bundle. Blue is a hyper link.

Getting Started Checklistpowered by FoundersuiteTM

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9. Divvy Up The Equity. Use the Founders Equity Split Wizard to determine the ownership percentage for each founder. Next, document the equity split, as well as a vesting schedule, in the Pre-Funding Founders Agreement.

10. Incorporate your Business. Incorporating your business essentially makes your �������FRPSDQ\�³RI¿FLDO´�DQG�KHOSV�WR�SURWHFW�\RXU�SHUVRQDO�DVVHWV�IURP�WKH�GHEWV�DQG�OLDELOLWLHV� of the business. Work with your attorney to draft the internal documents for the business (if you are forming a corporation, this will be an internal set of bylaws; if you are an LLC, this will be an Operating Agreement). Experienced founders might consider using a service like Incorporate, Rocketlawyer or Clerky to run the company formation process. In �������DGGLWLRQ��WKH�ODZ�¿UP�*RRGZLQ�3URFWRU�UXQV�DQ�LQWHUDFWLYH�³GRFXPHQW�GULYHU´�here.

11. Pick A Place. Get a mailing address – either a physical location, PO Box, or registered �������RI¿FH��0DQ\�FR�ZRUNLQJ�VSDFHV�QRZ�RIIHU�D�YLUWXDO�DGGUHVV�DQG�PDLO�GURS�VHUYLFH�IRU�D� small monthly fee, even if you’re not a full-time tenant.

12. File Your DBA (“Doing Business As” name). Register your business name (DBA) with state agencies. To note, the legal name of the business is required for many government �������IRUPV�DQG�DSSOLFDWLRQV��DQG�DV�VXFK��\RXU�EXVLQHVV�QDPH�PXVW�EH�¿UVW�UHJLVWHUHG�ZLWK� state agencies for all future forms to be valid.

13. Pick An RA. Appoint a Registered Agent to receive all legal documents. A Registered �������$JHQW�LV�D�SHUVRQ�WKDW�KDV�EHHQ�GHVLJQDWHG�WR�UHFHLYH�RI¿FLDO�GRFXPHQWV��VXFK�DV�VHUYLFH��������RI�SURFHVV��ODZVXLW�RU�VXPPRQV�QRWL¿FDWLRQV��RU�\HDUO\�EXVLQHVV�FKDUWHU�UHQHZDOV��7KH�5$� can be a person within the company; however, it is typically the organization’s lawyer.

14. Get An EIN���2EWDLQ�D�)HGHUDO�(PSOR\HU�,GHQWL¿FDWLRQ�1XPEHU��EIN), which is used by the IRS to identify a business entity and is used on all of the items that you send to the IRS and Social Security Administration in conjunction with your business. You will use it a lot, so keep it handy.

15. Register For State and Local Taxes. You’ve got to pay the taxman, as painful as it is.

16. Get Licensed (if needed). Obtain any necessary business licenses and permits. Some businesses operate in regulated industries and need special permits, such as for selling �������DOFRKRO�RU�¿UHDUPV�RU�PRVW�VHUYLFH�EDVHG�EXVLQHVVHV�

17. Open A Business Checking Account. Some banks have special divisions that cater to startups; Silicon Valley Bank, FirstRepublic, and Square1Financial are good places to start.

18. Set Up Accounting System. Once you have a business checking account, subscribe to a service such as Quickbooks, Xero, inDinero, or Wave Accounting to keep track of your accounting.

19. Get Covered. Determine what business property and functions require coverage and contact an insurance agent or broker to help you obtain the proper insurance.

Getting Started Checklistpowered by FoundersuiteTM

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1. Decide on branding and design (including logo, strapline, colors, voice, messaging, and positioning) by using Foundersuite’s Marketing Bundle. Note: This will most likely take several iterations at each step of the process. Try not to shortchange yourself by rushing through it! Although many brands fully develop over time, it’s important to start out with a strong brand image and presence from the beginning.

2. Set up a web presence (ie design your website / landing page). To get started with a simple landing page, check out LaunchRock or Unbounce.

3. Structure email addresses. Decide how many name@yourcompany.com email addresses you’ll need by counting all individual employees as well as information, press, and �����LQYHVWPHQW�DFFRXQWV��DORQJ�ZLWK�DQ\�RWKHUV�WKDW�PD\�EH�VSHFL¿F�WR�\RXU�FRPSDQ\¶V�GDLO\� functions). You can use a service like Google to set up email for your company.

4. Begin to develop collateral, like business cards, a pitch deck, and an executive summary.

&RQJUDWV��<RX¶YH�¿QLVKHG�VHWWLQJ�XS�\RXU�FRPSDQ\�DQG�DUH�QRZ�ZHOO�RQ�\RXU�ZD\�WR�EXLOGLQJ�D�business!

Need more help? Check out Foundersuite’s Brand and Marketing Strategy Bundle, Building an Advisory Board Bundle, and Hiring Early Employees Bundle to take your new business to the next level.

$IWHU�DOO�WKH�³IRUPDO�VWXII´�LV�XQGHUZD\�±�IRUPV�DUH�¿OHG��DSSOLFDWLRQV�VXEPLWWHG��DQG�QRZ�\RX¶UH�MXVW�waiting for various approvals – you can start to focus on the fun part: building your brand. The following list lays out a few things you can do to start getting your name out in front of your audience: