Starting a business with no money is genuinely possible if you start with services rather than products. Service businesses require zero inventory, minimal startup costs, and can begin generating revenue immediately. Your time and skills are the product.
Identify a skill you have that others need: writing, graphic design, bookkeeping, social media management, web development, photography, video editing, tutoring, cleaning, gardening. Start offering it to people you know for a discounted rate in exchange for testimonials. A few good testimonials and a simple portfolio are all you need to start getting paid clients.
Use free tools: a free Canva account for simple design, a free Google Workspace account for email and documents, a free Calendly for booking, a free PayPal or bank transfer for payments. Don't pay for anything until revenue demands it.
Freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal can get you initial clients with no marketing spend. Yes, they take a cut, but revenue with a fee beats no revenue.
by emilyjohnson
· 2 upvotes
Writing a pitch deck for investors requires understanding what investors actually care about: can this business return 10x their investment within 5-7 years?
A standard pitch deck is 10-12 slides: Problem, Solution, Market size, Product/demo, Business model, Traction, Competition, Team, Financials, and The ask.
The team slide is often the most scrutinised, especially for early-stage startups. Investors frequently say they'd rather back an A team with a B idea than a B team with an A idea. Highlight relevant experience, domain expertise, and any previous exits.
Traction is the most persuasive element: revenue, active users, growth rate, partnerships, letters of intent. Even early traction demonstrates you can execute, not just pitch.
Be specific about the ask: exactly how much are you raising, at what valuation (pre-money), how will the money be used, and what milestones will it achieve? "We need £500k to build the product, hire two engineers, and acquire our first 100 paying customers" is far more compelling than vague statements.
by connormartin