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Upstart Self Assessment Questionaire

Score yourself from 0 to 10 for each question.

Then click the button to check to see whether you are ready for incubation. If you do not score well, but still feel your business is ready for incubation, feel free to contact Upstart.

• Business plan is well documented and achievable 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No plan = 0. A plan which could be shown to potential investors and which clearly drives the business = 10.
• Cash is available to pay personal and business expenses for at least first 12 months 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If the business is living hand-to-mouth and needs cash now = 0. If the business has enough cash for forseeable expenses for six months = 10.
• Business model is rapidly scalable 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If there is no way the current business model could be rolled out globally = 0. If systems, processes, and legal structures for global rollout are in place = 10.
• A working prototype product has been made 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If no working prototype exists = 0. If a working prototype has been successfully used by customers = 10.
• Protectable intellectual property has been identified 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No defendable IP has been identified = 0. IP is significant and patented = 10.
• This is a platform technology 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 This is a one-product company = 0. This is a platform technology with many applications in multiple sectors = 10.
• We are experts in our technology 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If Principals have 'bought-in' technology about which they know little = 0. If Principals are global experts in the technology = 10.
• A large and growing market for the technology exists 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 If the global market is less than USD200M pa, or growing less than 10% pa = 0. If the global market is greater than USD 1 Billion, and growing at >15% pa, or the market >USD500M pa and growing by 30% pa = 10.
• We have access to international partners 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals have no leveragable international relationships = 0. Principals have international contacts with the power to open sales channels, buy the technology or broker significant partnerships = 10.
• We have access to reference customers 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals have no leverage for getting trial sites installed = 0. Principals have established credible reference sites = 10.
• A customer compulsion to buy can be demonstrated 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No compelling commercial or political reason for customers to buy the product can be demonstrated = 0. Customers must buy something and this product has a compelling unique selling proposition = 10.
• The sales cycle is known 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 It is unclear how long it will take to close sales = 0. Sales cycles are well known and expected to remain predictable = 10.
• Recurring revenue streams have been identified 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Each sale is a one-off, with no scale advantages = 0. Significant passive revenues will be generated = 10.
• An exit path is available 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 There are no logical buyers for the business and it will not IPO = 0. The business has many potential buyers and could also IPO = 10.
• High financial returns are forecast 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The business will depend for growth on new investment and will pay no dividends for many years = 0. The business will generate large free cash flows within 2-3 years = 10.
• The segment is attractive to investors 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The business is in a sector/sub-sector which has few interested investors = 0. The business is in a 'hot' growth sector = 10.
• The business has revenues today 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 No genuine sales have yet been made = 0. The business already has a successful sales history = 10.
• We have strong commercial skills 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals have never held a senior commercial role, and have no staff who have done so = 0. Principals (or staff) have built international companies in the relevant sector = 10.
• We understand our market 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals cannot demonstrate understanding of the market in which they will be selling = 0. Principals demonstrate deep and documented understanding of their target markets = 10.
• We have deep industry knowledge 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals are new to the industry = 0. Principals have worked in the industry for many years, and are respected as industry leaders = 10.
• We are people of integrity 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals have questionable reputations = 0. Principals are highly respected for their personal integrity = 10.
• We are risking our personal assets 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals have 'other jobs' and will suffer little if the business fails = 0. Principals have committed the bulk of their personal assets to the business = 10.
• We are committed to high-growth goals 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals wish to make a business which will give them an 'adequate' return = 0. Principals committed to building a global business, very quickly = 10.
• We are committed to the incubation process 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals ambivalent about incubation = 0. Principals see incubation as a critical value-add, and behave accordingly = 10.
• We are willing to give up equity to grow 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Principals will not cede equity = 0. Principals happy to cede equity when the value of their shareholding grows with each selldown = 10.