Is the word Startup misleading us?
For a minute, if we replace the word startup with business (early-stage-business, if you insist.) What have we lost? Does the word startup really bring anything extra to the table?
If we look at Eric Ries’ definition:
A startup is a human institution designed to deliver a new product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty.
I would say every business has uncertainty. Extreme or not is a matter of perspective & approach.
I remember reading a while ago about Start a Business, not a Startup on 37 Signals‘ blog Signal vs. Noise. Now I understand what they really meant.
I’m planning to pretty much do away with the word startup and instead just call it business.
This will really help me focus on the hard-core business aspect of my products and services instead of hiding behind the feel-good-factor of “startup.”
