Trying to define startup these days is like trying to define hacker. The meaning changes, depending on your company. This is a good thing. It signifies a culture shift.
PG defines a startup as a business with very high growth potential.
According to my accountant, the IRS defines a startup as a business activity that is not yet profitable, but you're actively working to make it profitable.
By either of these definitions, not every new venture is a startup. This is just semantic. I don't think "not a startup" should be an insult.
EDIT: I see from another comment that Merriam-Webster defines start-up as a fledgling business. IMHO this makes the English language a little less rich, since you could just as easily say "new business", but it is what it is.
PG also stresses the importance of creating a new technology in his definition of startup.
A startup is a 'Useful infrastructure' previously and wholly 'nonexistent' that 'fills a need' for a population and thus earns revenue. I'm sure I've left something out but this definition helps me sort between startup ideas and content ideas in my head.
Comments
Trying to define startup these days is like trying to define hacker. The meaning changes, depending on your company. This is a good thing. It signifies a culture shift.
PG defines a startup as a business with very high growth potential.
According to my accountant, the IRS defines a startup as a business activity that is not yet profitable, but you're actively working to make it profitable.
By either of these definitions, not every new venture is a startup. This is just semantic. I don't think "not a startup" should be an insult.
EDIT: I see from another comment that Merriam-Webster defines start-up as a fledgling business. IMHO this makes the English language a little less rich, since you could just as easily say "new business", but it is what it is.
PG also stresses the importance of creating a new technology in his definition of startup.
A startup is a 'Useful infrastructure' previously and wholly 'nonexistent' that 'fills a need' for a population and thus earns revenue. I'm sure I've left something out but this definition helps me sort between startup ideas and content ideas in my head.