How to Build a Startup from Scratch!
Beginner to Early Stage Operating Manual
Practical. Actionable. Built for execution.
This merges beginner guidance with structured startup systems.
Starting From Zero
If you are completely new, you only need 4 things:
- A real problem
- 20 people who feel that problem
- A simple solution
- A way to charge
Everything else is optimization.
1. How Startups Actually Work
Basic Startup Math
Revenue = Users × Price
Profit = Revenue − Costs
Runway = Cash ÷ Monthly Burn
Track these weekly from day one.
2. Founder Mindset & Preparation
Why It Matters
Execution speed and clarity compound. Misalignment kills startups early.
Founder Readiness Checklist
12 to 18 months personal runway → Enough personal savings to survive without salary while building the startup
Founder agreement signed → Legal document defining cofounder roles, ownership, and responsibilities
Equity split with vesting → Ownership is earned over time to protect the company if someone leaves early
50 potential user interviews identified → List of real people you can talk to for validating the problem
Clear ICP defined → Clearly defined ideal customer you are building the product for
Templates
Common Mistakes
- Equal splits without vesting
- Building before interviews
- Raising money before validation
3. Choosing Your First Idea
Beginner Rules
- Solve something you understand
- Avoid hyper competitive markets initially
- Pick a niche
- Target people already spending money
Idea Validation Filter
Ask:
- Do 10+ people complain about this?
- Are they paying for alternatives?
- Can you reach them easily?
- Can you build v1 in 30 days?
If 3 yes → proceed.
Research Sources
4. Customer Discovery System
Step 1 → Talk To 20 People
DM Template:
Hi, I am researching how people handle X.
Would love 10 minutes to understand your workflow.
No sales.
Ask:
- What do you use?
- What frustrates you?
- What does it cost?
Record calls using:
Rule: Never pitch during discovery.
5. Idea Validation System
Step 2 → Build Landing Page
Use:
Include:
- Clear problem
- Clear solution
- One CTA
- Email capture
Benchmark: 20%+ conversion.
Step 3 → Pre Sell
Add payment:
If people pay before product exists → strong validation.
6. Market Research & Competitive Mapping
Tools:
Deliverable: 1-page competitive landscape with:
- ICP
- Pricing
- Differentiation
- Traffic estimate
7. Build Your First MVP
If You Cannot Code
Goal: Working version in 14 days.
If You Can Code
Stack:
Keep features minimal:
- Login
- Core action
- Payment
- Basic dashboard
Ship fast. Improve later.
8. AI Tools For Founders
Use AI for:
- Research
- Drafting copy
- Code assistance
- Automation
- Customer support bots
AI accelerates execution, not replaces user feedback.
9. Monetization Basics
Start simple:
- Monthly subscription
- Annual discount
- One pricing tier initially
Global:
India:
Avoid free forever at early stage.
10. Getting First 10 Users
Sources:
- Personal network
- LinkedIn DMs
- Reddit niche groups
- WhatsApp communities
- Local groups
System:
- 20 DMs daily
- Offer free onboarding
- Collect testimonials
11. Distribution Channels
B2B
- Cold email
- Webinars
Tools:
Target metrics:
60% open
10% reply
Developer Products
12. SEO & Content Strategy
Start with:
- Problem page
- Comparison page
- Feature page
Tools:
Publish 3 high intent pages weekly.
13. Analytics Setup
Install:
Track:
- Signups
- Activation rate
- 7 day retention
- Revenue
- Churn
Ignore vanity metrics.
14. Legal Setup
Global
India
Ensure IP assignment signed early.
15. Finance & Bookkeeping
Track weekly:
- Revenue
- Expenses
- Runway
Tools:
Keep burn low.
16. Hiring First People
Platforms:
Rules:
- Trial project first
- Clear KPIs
- Vesting agreements
17. Productivity System
Tools:
Daily:
- 1 hour user calls
- 1 hour building
- 1 hour distribution
18. 30 Day Execution Plan
Week 1:
- Pick niche
- 20 interviews
Week 2:
- Landing page
- Collect 50 emails
Week 3:
- MVP
- Pre sell
Week 4:
- Onboard 5 to 10 paying users
- Iterate daily
19. Minimum Startup Stack
You can build a real business with this.
20. AI Native Startup Stack
Automate onboarding, support, reporting.
21. Beginner Mistakes To Avoid
- Building for months without users
- Hiring too early
- Raising before traction
- Over engineering
- Ignoring distribution
- Constantly switching ideas
22. Mental Framework
Expect:
- Slow start
- Rejections
- Doubt
Do:
- Talk to users daily
- Improve weekly
- Charge early
Avoid:
Comparison
Feature creep
Shiny object syndrome
Free Startup Resource Pack for Founders
AWS Activate
Provides free cloud credits, technical support, architecture guidance, and learning resources for building MVPs and scaling.
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Offers free Google Cloud credits, startup mentorship, product support, and access to founder communities.
Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub
Gives free Azure credits, GitHub Enterprise, OpenAI access, technical support, and startup enablement resources.
Oracle for Startups
Provides free cloud credits, database services, and technical assistance to early stage companies.
Notion Startup Program
Free access to premium workspace tools for documentation, planning, and team collaboration.
GitHub for Startups
Offers free or heavily discounted developer tools, repo hosting, CI/CD automation and startup-friendly onboarding.
Stripe Startup Program / Stripe Atlas
Free tools to set up payments, legal guidance resources, and startup-friendly fee structures.
HubSpot for Startups
Free CRM and marketing tools with extended startup access for early teams.
Zoho for Startups
Free business tools for CRM, finance, operations, and email services via credits.
Canva for Startups
Free premium design tools for branding, pitch decks and marketing creatives.
Cloudflare for Startups
Free security, CDN and performance optimization services for early stage products (with cloud credits).
Brex for Startups
Free startup banking, expense management and credit facilities for eligible startups.
Playbook
Your all-in-one media management solution: store, search, and collaborate on photos, video, and design files in one centralized hub.
We have one small founder group on whatsapp , reach out at letscode@lets-code.co.in to join for discussions!
Final Operating Principle
Start small.
Charge early.
Talk to users constantly.
Ship weekly.
Improve continuously.
Momentum compounds.
If you are building something and want feedback, accountability, and support, join our founder WhatsApp group.
Serious builders only.
Reach out at letscode@lets-code.co.in to join or DM.
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