COMPANY
What is UpStart?
There’s a new set of rules for entrepreneurship. Rules that let founders accomplish more with less time and money. UpStart will show you how, with helpful tips, supportive coaches, on-demand courses and more.
Who’s this site for? Who’s it not for?
UpStart is for founders who want help building successful startups. The things we teach apply to any startup, in any industry. Our clients include founders of tech startups, but also make-up artists, graphic designers, and photographers. Most of the founders using UpStart are first or second-time entrepreneurs building companies that will include more than one or two people. UpStart is not for people who want to pay expensive consultants to do all the work for them – of course there are things you can outsource, but we think your time and money is better spent on learning how to build your business yourself.
Why is UpStart different than other companies who help entrepreneurs?
Our methods are different, reflecting the new rules of entrepreneurship. We help founders plan and launch quickly, with limited capital, and maximum flexibility. Our delivery is also different. Self-paced courses are more convenient than webinars or local workshops. Expert coaching is more affordable than consulting.
What’s free? What’s not?
Free offerings include articles, links to helpful websites, recommended reading lists, our blog, out tweets, and referrals to recommended service providers. Coaching, courses and books have a price tag but we’ve tried hard to make them high value and low price.
COACHING
What’s the difference between coaching and consulting?
Consultants do the work for you, while coaches help you do it yourself—providing knowledge, tools and support. Consulting may sound appealing, but we think it’s the wrong approach for most startups. Consulting is roughly 10 times more expensive than coaching, so it’s out of reach for most startups. Also, it’s important for founders to be highly involved in planning their own ventures, so they can develop their own points of view, and can adjust their strategies as their businesses evolve.
How does coaching work?
Coaches help via phone or in-person, depending on where you are located. They ask questions to learn about your particular stage and challenge, and then provide guidance and support. That can take many forms, including teaching you the fundamentals, offering tips and advice, providing examples and templates, and reviewing your work.
What does coaching cost?
Our prices vary based on the package you select. See the full list of coaching services for details or contact us to have us put together the right package for you.
What if I’m not happy with my coach?
Our coaches try hard to help all of their clients and so far our clients have been very happy with the service they receive. But, if your coach does not meet your expectations, please contact us. Our goal is to get you the help you need so we’ll do everything we can to make it right.
Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes. Our coaches are very busy people, just like you and they’ve reserved the time to work with you. So, if you cancel within 24 hours of a scheduled session, you may be charged a cancellation fee.
COURSES
What are the courses?
Planning to tackle a new startup challenge tomorrow? You need to learn the right approach today. With UpStart’s on-demand courses, you can learn exactly what to do next, starting right now. Each course includes step-by-step instructions, examples, insider tips, recommended reading, and a workbook. All designed to provide quick, easy, results-oriented learning. And at any point, you can arrange to get help from an UpStart coach.
How do the courses work?
UpStart’s courses are are available on Udemy, an online learning site. You can start a course at any time of day, from anywhere, and go at your own pace. After you buy a course, you have access to it at any time – it doesn’t expire.
REFERRALS
What’s the difference between coaching and referrals?
Coaches help with services that are part of UpStart’s primary focus, like planning and business strategy. We offer referrals for other types of professional service providers, such as web developers, lawyers, and accountants.
Why should I use one of UpStart’s referrals?
There are thousands of professional service providers, and finding the right ones can be daunting. Our intention is to help, by narrowing the choices down to a few companies that have done quality work for us or for our clients. We don’t just do this out of the goodness of our hearts, though—we collect fees from companies you hire as a result of our referrals. Still, we believe we’re providing a valuable service for you and fellow founders. Since we send a lot of business to our referral partners, they tend to go the extra mile for our clients, and they know that if they fall short, it will get back to us. Still, use your own judgment, and make sure the companies we refer seem like a fit for your specific needs.
How do the referrals work?
email us to tell us what you need and we’ll match you with a trusted professional who’s experienced at working with startups. We’ll make the introduction and the two of you can take it from there.
What do referrals cost?
Referrals cost you nothing.
What’s in it for UpStart?
If you hire a company we refer, that company pays us a small referral fee that varies with the amount of business you do with them in the next year. These fees are in everyone’s best interest – you get a referral to someone who’s been vetted for just what you need, the company we refer you to gets a qualified lead and doesn’t pay unless you do business with them, and we get compensated to build and vet this extensive network for you and to make good introductions.
What if I have a problem with a referral?
Please let us know immediately. If we can be of help, we will. If we get negative feedback from referral partners, we may choose to remove them from our roster.
What if I have a referral to recommend?
Please contact us.
BOOK
What is Hit the Deck?
Hit the Deck is the first UpStart Bootcamp Guide that shows entrepreneurs the right way to create business plans, following best practices used at top business schools, and with leading angel and venture capital investors. The book provides step-by-step instructions on how to think through new business ideas, and prepare concise, compelling business plan presentations. As a result, founders can plan faster, pitch more effectively, and modify their plans more easily as they get feedback from advisors and investors. Hit the Deck includes interviews with sophisticated investors, like Ted Schlein at Kleiner Perkins, and with successful entrepreneurs, like Tommy Hilfiger. Learn more about Hit the Deck.
How is the book related to the coaching? Should I do them both?
People have different preferences for how and when to learn, so we offer different options. The book and the coaching are based on similar methodologies, and there is some overlap between the lessons and materials. The book gives you everything you need to know about how to develop a business plan but we can help you more with the specifics of your business through coaching.
How do I order the book?
It’s easy – you can order it on Amazon today!
What are your shipping options?
All of Amazon’s standard shipping options apply.
What do I do if I have a question about my book order?
Contact Amazon regarding your order and they’ll get right on it!
I bought the book – how do I get 10% off on coaching?
When you buy the book, we will give you a 10% discount on your first coaching session. To get your discount, first select the coaching package you’d like and then mention the book promotion when you set up your session.
RESOURCES
What are UpStart resources?
Resources include articles, websites, downloads, blogs, books, and other things we think you’ll find helpful. Some are our own creations; some are links to the products of other companies and individuals.
How are the resources different than referrals?
Referrals are for service providers, and resources are content or products. Here’s an example. We may have a referral to a lawyer that works with startups. If you hire her, she can help you with things like setting up your legal entity. Within the resources section of the website, we may have articles with advice on setting up legal entities. And in some cases, the articles may be written by the same lawyer we refer, to give you a sense for the type of value she can offer.
How do I suggest something be added as a resource?
We’d love to hear about new resources for founders, so contact us with any suggestions.
OTHER GOOD STUFF
Why should I sign up for blog updates?
The blog is where we put everything a founder needs – informative approaches, tips & tricks, inspirational interviews, and new UpStart products and services. We are constantly adding good stuff to the blog but you can opt-out of updates at any time.
What kinds of things does the blog cover?
On the blog, we discuss a wide range of topics, many inspired by our experiences, and those of our clients.
How and why should I follow UpStart on twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn?
We’ll keep you updated on the latest information and you can meet and connect with other founders like yourself.
Still have a question?
Inside UpStart
Connect
Sites We Love
- AngelSoft
- Ben's Blog
- Blog.pmarca.com
- Fast Company
- Inc
- MyVenturePad
- OnStartups
- Seth Godin's Blog
- Startup 101
- Venture Hacks
The new rules of enterpreneurship to use when starting a new company.
© UpStart Bootcamp 2012
