Build stage
Build-stage startups: problems we solve
Build: Just starting out, still finding who the product is for. These are the problems we hear most from Build-stage teams, and how we approach each one.
What we hear from Build-stage teams
You're probably dealing with one of these.
Highlight anything that sounds like you. Jenna or Crystal will comment with what they'd do.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doWork out where you can win and what compounds over time, versus what a competitor can copy.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doBuild your product and design decisions into your AI-native development process, so what ships looks and works like you.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doA coherent product and UX redesign, with the principles and design system to keep it that way.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doLogo, color, messaging, positioning and site, built to match the product.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doInstrumentation and first dashboards, built around the few metrics that matter.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doFeedback and development loops that keep running without you, including agent-assisted ones.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doAn operating foundation: processes, measurement and cadence.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doA go-to-market motion built around the product itself.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doPositioning, messaging and brand.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doA go-to-market plan and the first demand-generation foundation, from product marketing to community and PR.
Jenna MinnixWhat I'd doDefine the role, set an evaluation rubric, and design how the new hire works with you.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doPeople ops and HR basics.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doFundraising support.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doCoach and support the investor pitch, including documentation and materials.
Crystal BrownWhat I'd doBuild an active fundraising funnel and facilitate meaningful introductions to reach fundraising goals.
Nothing highlighted yet. Drag across a problem, or tap it.
By function
Build-stage problems by function
Product
- I don't know exactly who my customer is or what they need.
- ICP and customer-needs research, plus a product-market-fit read.
- I'm not sure what's defensible.
- Work out where you can win and what compounds over time, versus what a competitor can copy.
- I'm building with AI and everything looks like everyone else's product.
- Build your product and design decisions into your AI-native development process, so what ships looks and works like you.
Design
- My product is a patchwork.
- A coherent product and UX redesign, with the principles and design system to keep it that way.
- I need a brand and a website.
- Logo, color, messaging, positioning and site, built to match the product.
Data
- I don't know what to track or what's working.
- Instrumentation and first dashboards, built around the few metrics that matter.
Ops
- I'm shipping but not learning.
- Feedback and development loops that keep running without you, including agent-assisted ones.
- Nobody's running the business side.
- An operating foundation: processes, measurement and cadence.
Marketing
- I need a go-to-market plan for a technical product.
- A go-to-market motion built around the product itself.
- I have a product but no story or brand.
- Positioning, messaging and brand.
- I need a go-to-market plan.
- A go-to-market plan and the first demand-generation foundation, from product marketing to community and PR.
People
- I'm about to make my first product or design hire.
- Define the role, set an evaluation rubric, and design how the new hire works with you.
- I'm making my first hires.
- People ops and HR basics.
Finance
- I'm about to raise.
- Fundraising support.
- My pitch and materials aren't investor-ready.
- Coach and support the investor pitch, including documentation and materials.
- I don't have an active investor pipeline.
- Build an active fundraising funnel and facilitate meaningful introductions to reach fundraising goals.
Contact
Talk to us about your situation.
Tell us where your company is and what you're dealing with, and we'll get back to you.
Prefer email?jennakertz@gmail.com
ICP and customer-needs research, plus a product-market-fit read.