“It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.”
-Scott Belsky, Behance Co-founder
Isn’t it true that a founder wears 100 hats? This goes without saying that CEOs,i.e., non-technical founders play a huge role in finding new directions the company should be heading to. Who says you cannot start a company if you cannot code? If you lack technical knowledge in this 21st century, you can start a non-tech startup and take it to great heights.
Machines are experts only to the extent of the knowledge programmed and fed into them. After all, we are humans and can work only according to our capacity. I firmly believe that one must utilize the time and resources and give 100% to what we know.
Learning new things and updating one’s knowledge never hurts, but why compromise on the quality of work and amount of experience when there are talented CTOs available to take up the responsibility?
Because we are surrounded by technology, it would be a smart decision to leave the technical side of the business to a certified expert. Am I right or am I right?
Let me explain what a non-tech startup is and how it functions.
What are Non-Tech Startups?
Businesses established and launched in the market without a technical base are called non-tech startups. This also means that the internal resources of the startup are not equipped with the technical knowledge. They often hire external help.
Be it a tech or a non-tech, a startup is always at a high risk of collapsing even before making an entry into the market. It is a newly established company that is also known as a young company. A company can call itself a startup up to 5 years of establishment or until its goal is reached. The goal can be a range of revenue earned or a particular number of staff members working at present.
StartupBasics say “With time more and more startups will begin to collaborate and become open to partnerships.” Well, hiring external help for the role of CTO is the new mantra of a most successful non-tech startup. This will bring a fresh perspective, unbiased opinion about the current operations of the company. It can also become the reason for an upsurge in the technical side of the business.
Most Successful Non-Tech Startups of 2022
Let’s read a little about the ones who run a non-technical startup and how they chose app development and website development for small businesses.
Who are Non-Tech Entrepreneurs?
It is the founder who explores different horizons for more operational and managerial developments. The technological advancement part can be completely left upon the hired CTO.
Lack of time, money, or desire to learn technical skills makes an entrepreneur non-technical.
Apart from this, attending seminars also helps a lot in keeping up with the ongoing developments in the techie area!
10 Main Roles of Non-Tech Entrepreneurs in the Corporate World
A great entrepreneur can turn the simplest idea into an amazing irreplaceable product and/or service. With this, I want you to understand that your product-based startup idea can be very basic, but what matters the most is the end-product!
***TIP FOR NON-TECH STARTUPS***
Idea generation is not as essential as implementing the ideas. You should focus on the way you use your business concepts.
The non-tech entrepreneurs have to carry out several important responsibilities. Let’s go through the primary ones bit by bit:
The entrepreneur has to judge the market risks and new avenues to grow the business. Some calculated risks can be taken, provided that a backup plan is ready if things go south.
Although a startup focuses on launching a product that meets the customer’s needs, it also focuses on building relationships right from Day 1. Rapport building is an art and the founder must master it as this will take the company forward in the future. Also, a competitive analysis helps in analying future business activities.
We all have heard this before – ‘Teamwork makes the DREAM work!’ The founder is not a one-man army. A company runs by team efforts. The founder must hire responsible employees who can be loyal to the company.
An ideal founder motivates the team to do better, acknowledges their contribution, recognizes and appreciates their efforts. They stand as the shield and protect their team against anything that can hamper their growth.
Taking care of the legal formalities is very important to prevent any copyright and trademark-related issues. The attorney should be taken into confidence about every minute thing of the organization. A non-tech founder must also ensure that all activities carried out at the organization are lawful.
Pre-sale marketing informs people about the upcoming product-based startup. Even before the product has been launched in the market, one can start campaigning for it. This creates hype for the product and people await the launch.
Knowing what the customers want can’t be known until a meaningful conversation is initiated with them. Taking opinions helps a great deal in the planning process. The founder also has to study the pre-market condition to judge his present and future actions.
DID YOU KNOW?
Microsoft supremo Bill Gates once said, “Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning”.
These three are the most common tests to be performed by the non-technical founder:
1. Market Survey
2. A/B Tests
3. Pre-Sale Campaigns
Results from tests can be compared with the previous ones to assess the effectiveness or improvement in the work quality.
Raising funds is a crucial task. Nothing comes free and to run an organization, money is required. If the founder conveys the vision and mission effectively, the investor will gain interest.
Since the non-technical founder can’t code, he or she still has to communicate his research to the team for execution. Wireframes, mock-ups, and prototypes can be created on mobile or paper for proper communication of ideas.
6 Sources to Raise Funds for Non-Tech Startup
In the market, money is the fuel on which a company runs. People are interested in investing in a Silicon valley or cloud-based company. But, when it comes to non-tech startups, they think twice. When it comes to survival, the only key is money. Money gives a kickstart to the penned down plans. To give your business a boost, get investors or the contributors in confidence.
Figure out which way suits your non-technical startup idea the best:
1. Crowdfunding
Today, non-technical startups have inclined towards crowdfunding. In this, large masses of people contribute little amount of money to the business. Not every project is successful in crowdfunding but it really is a fast way to gather capital.
2. Bootstrapping
Bootstrapping is a way to pull the company out of a crisis or a downfall situation. A company can survive on the funds that go in and out from everyday operations. There is less or no dependence on an outsider’s investments. Self-funding is another name for bootstrapping.
3. Kinsman’s Support
Supportive friends and family can help a great deal in raising capital or gathering funds for the non-tech startup. They are also as entitled as any other investor to have a share in the returns of their investment.
4. Incubators
The only purpose of startup incubators is to assist entrepreneurs to face the challenges of the business industry. These are usually non-profit organizations that help startups build a strong base in the market.
5. Accelerators
An organization providing help to a startup in terms of mentoring, capital raising, and networking in the industry. It basically accelerates the growth of the startup in every way possible.
6. Venture Capitalists
Venture capitalists invest money in startups in exchange for equity shares and ownership stake. They give active support in terms of money and wisdom.
6 Mistakes to Avoid as a Non-Tech Startup Founder
Nobody is born learned or a genius. We learn from mistakes, be it our’s or anybody else’s. You as a founder will learn a lot on your way.
According to Forbes, “The time of year you pitch, the detailedness of your data, and the value of your pitch deck are a few of the strongest factors affecting the amount of funding a business receives.”
To add to your learning, check out this compiled NOT-TO-DO list below:
A person from a non-technical background should not try to be a developer. If you take up a task that you are completely unaware of, how will you focus on the rest of your major responsibilities? Instead, hire a developing team and focus on the operations of the company.
Because you are the founder, you have a lot on your plate to worry about. Employees feel pressurized with a lot of work and follow-up questions. Instead, arrange a regular stand-up meeting to stay updated with the progress and not nag the employees constantly.
The first impression is the last impression and the same principle applies very well to non-tech startups. Social media today enables direct communication with users. The founder and his or her team can take complete advantage of this. Taking quick reviews from the audience can be of great help.
Out of Mind, Out of Sight… Business industry is dynamic. There are so many new entrants every single day. Adapting to those trends and taking competition as challenges is what will keep the founder and the company in the mind of customers.
Let me tell you, depending on one person for all the technical projects is one risk you don’t wanna take. Instead, hire one suitable team to perform the job. The team should be experienced and should have a considerable number of developers who can distribute the projects into chunks and pieces according to their expertise.
Being a startup, limited resources allow you to serve only a set of the target market. In my advice, do not aim to capture the entire market and let yourself down. Be realistic!
SEE ALSO: How to Start a Tech Company?
3 Strategies to Adopt to Succeed as a Non-Tech Startup in 2023
2 in 5 startups are successful according to the report of Embroker.
Numerous reasons lie behind the growth of startups with a non-technical background. Certainly, they don’t have the availability of any guidance for technicalities. So, they do whatever is in their hands and depend on external CTOs for the rest.
Are you curious to know more about how non-tech startups have been succeeding?
Let’s find out!.
Creating a social media presence and also maintaining the company’s reputation can take you a long way. Not only millennials but every Internet user has a social media profile today. The chances of reaching these users are great hence, having a social media presence is so important.
Not having technical knowledge is not that big a problem. But, being the founder, one has to ensure that it is necessary to have convincing power. Marketing is an art. Be it a product or a service, one should know how to convert a potential customer into a lead.
A product or a service will be sold out or subscribed in large numbers only if the producing company has a good name in the market. If the company already enjoys a reputable status, maintaining the momentum is the next step. Also, the utility of the product should be explained thoroughly to the public.
How to Hire a CTO?
Mentored startups grow 3.5x faster and raise 7x more money. Entrepreneurs are constantly pulled in many directions. Business success can be amplified with the support of the right mentor who, above all, helps the non-technical founder focus and invest time wisely. The experience and connections of the technical mentor provide entrepreneurs with a roadmap for a higher probability of success.
Top 6 Skills to Look for in a new CTO
The CTO has such a huge responsibility in the company.
Non-Tech Startup + Enter CTO = Reach New Heights
He or She has to tick all these boxes to stand out from the rest of the shortlisted choices. He/She should…
To Conclude…
Startups founded by non-technical teams outperform the startups established by technical founders. They perform 31% better! Isn’t that amazing?
As you pursue your entrepreneurship dreams, let us help you with the technical side of your business. We, at Excellent Webworld can help you work on your non-tech business ideas. Also, our technical guidance will help you beat your competitors in no time.
You can visit the website to learn more about the Dedicated Team Model, Fixed Cost Pricing Model, Time & Material Pricing Model, and Offshore Pricing Model. Book a FREE consultation session with Mayur Panchal today!
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FAQs on Best Non-Tech Startups
Many full-time & freelance consultants provide business-related advice. But, one must choose an agency that has experience in the same. Also, always go ahead with a company that can provide you with a list of successful non-tech startups they have prepared business models for. If you see those companies doing good in the market today, it’s a green signal to hire them right away! One such agency is Excellent WebWorld. They have an expert panel of consultants and business analysts who can help you prepare a revenue-earning business model with contingency plans.
There’s about a 90% failure rate of startups after 5 years of their establishment. But, a few non-technical startups were unique and they captured a fair share in the market. Airbnb, without owning a single room today has created its monopoly in the hotel industry. Secondly, without a single taxi of its own, Uber connects riders with cab drivers for travel convenience. Another unique USP of Instacart allows customers to shop groceries online and then another shopper gets the stock purchased for them from the store. A Germany-based startup Handy enables users to book cleaning services for home.
A non-technical founder has all the qualities of an ideal CEO. He/She can do everything at a great competency level – be it hiring the right team, connecting with experts in a similar field, marketing for the product or service, pitching investors, networking with professionals and freelancers, etc. Many non-technical founders have established a strong base in industry with an efficient CTO from Excellent WebWorld. Pursue your dreams by seeking help from expert professionals.
