What is a startup today

Entrepreneurs of the new generation already know what a startup is. If we start from the etymology of this word, then its meaning can be expressed in a few words - this is the beginning of business. Throughout the history of mankind, manufacturing enterprises and trading companies have emerged in different countries and at all geographical latitudes. In order to build a metallurgical plant, you need to have an ore deposit nearby. The pottery workshop began its activity where there was clay.

As the deposit of this or that mineral was depleted, the enterprises for processing it ceased to operate. And the masters again went in search of new places, to where these resources were available in sufficient quantities. Of course, this is a schematic representation of industrial production. In practice, everything looks somewhat different. Yes, if the mine, in which ore was extracted for smelting copper, is depleted, then it is closed. However, the plant where the smelting of the metal is produced continues to operate.

Ore comes from another place. What is a startup in this case, obviously - it's a new mine in a new field. In order to put it into effect, the whole complex of works has to be repeated in the same volume as in the previous place. On this principle, there was a development of industrial enterprises in our time. To build a new oil refinery or a garment factory, to open a hotel or office center are all examples of a classic business. In order for these enterprises to start operating and generate revenue, it is necessary to spend, or, as it is customarily expressed, to invest in their creation certain resources.

It is obvious that investments in start-ups of classical business are very demanding. Even the opening of a service center for the maintenance and repair of computers requires starting capital in the amount of 500 to 1000 dollars. And the creation of a simple shop for "screwdriver" assembly of cars will cost tens of millions of dollars. From these examples follows a natural conclusion - in order to start your business, you need a very impressive amount of money. A significant majority of people who would like to start their own business do not have such capital.

Rapid development of information technology fundamentally changed the situation. About what a startup, now known to any programmer. More precisely, a programmer or a web designer who works on the Internet. Textual examples, which are guided by most of them, are the search system "Google", social networks "Classmates" or "VKontakte." This list can be continued. A distinctive feature of these projects is that they are created and implemented on the Internet. It should be noted at once - this does not mean that they are cut off from real life. Rather, on the contrary, a huge number of people no longer think of their existence without these projects.

Like any large-scale business, Internet startups began and begin with a simple idea or hobby. The creator of "Facebook" wanted to write a program through which it was possible to communicate with close friends via the Internet. He did not make any financial investments. In other words, he did not spend money. He had one idea - that's all. The scale of this project is known to everyone who is familiar with the Internet today.

So, to the question of what a startup is, you can answer that this is an original idea or a new product or service, the usefulness of which no one else suspects. In order to implement the project of such a property, serious financial investments are not required. You just have to work hard and clearly see the goal you are striving for. In connection with all of the above, it should be emphasized that it is about creating a new grandfather in the environment of information technology. And these technologies should bring something useful to real people who know how to use a computer.