Startup Basics

First-principles guides for the earliest stage: validating ideas, choosing what to build, legal setup and the decisions that compound for years.

5 articles

Startup Basics3 min read

Validate Your Startup Idea in 30 Days (Before You Build)

A 30-day validation sprint for startup ideas: problem interviews, a smoke test, and pre-sales — with clear kill criteria so you build the right thing.

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Anna Martin · Jun 3, 2026
Startup Basics5 min read

How to Find a Job at a Startup (and Get Hired)

How to find startup jobs, evaluate early-stage roles and equity, and stand out to founders — a practical guide to joining a startup at the right stage.

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Anna Martin · Mar 29, 2025

Solo Founder vs Co-Founder: Do You Need One?

A clear-eyed look at founding solo versus with a co-founder: the real trade-offs, when each path works, and how to decide before you commit years to it.

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Anna Martin · Jan 29, 2025

How to Find a Co-Founder: A Step-by-Step Playbook

Where to meet potential co-founders, how to pitch without begging, and how to test fit before you commit — a practical playbook for finding a startup partner.

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Kai Lindemann · Oct 23, 2024
Startup Basics4 min read

How to Find a Startup Idea Worth Building

A repeatable way to find startup ideas: where good ones come from, how to spot real problems worth solving, and how to pick a business model that can pay.

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Anna Martin · Oct 19, 2024