Have you just started your own business or are you entering the world of startups for the first time? Then you will undoubtedly encounter terms such as scale-up, pitch deck, or Angel Investor that you may not be familiar with (yet).
Don’t worry: in this Startup Dictionary, we explain the most important words and concepts. Clear, concise, and in understandable language. This way, you can confidently participate in conversations, programs, and pitches within the PLNT startup community. 🙌🏻
PLNT language
Changemaker
People who actively want to change the world – often with innovative ideas and a strong drive to make a social impact.
Community building
Building a group of people (e.g., entrepreneurs) who help, inspire, and strengthen each other.
Entrepreneurship
Starting and growing an idea or business. At PLNT, this revolves around daring, initiative, and developing valuable solutions.
Idea validation
Check whether there is a real need for your idea or product. You check whether people recognize the problem and find your solution useful.
Impact
The real difference that your idea or company makes – for example, to people, society, or the environment.
Incubator
A place where young companies receive help with growing, for example through coaching, networking, and workspace.
Innovation
Coming up with and implementing new solutions, products, or ways of working. PLNT encourages innovation to accelerate progress.
Network
All the people, companies, and organizations you know or work with – and who can help you make your plans a reality.
Scale-up
A fast-growing company that already has a well-functioning product or service and is now expanding to more customers, staff, and markets.
Scaling up / scaling up strategy
Expanding your business, for example by increasing your customer base, staff, or locations.
Startup
A young, often innovative company that wants to grow quickly.
Validation program
A process in which you learn to test whether your idea works before investing a lot of money or time in it.
Business language
Business plan
A plan that outlines how you will set up and grow your business. Consider goals, target audience, financial matters, and strategy.
Iterative improvement
Continuously improve based on what you learn from users or the market.
Pitch
A short presentation in which you explain what your idea is, why it is good, and why someone should invest in it.
Pitch deck
A slide presentation in which you show what your startup does, who it is for, how you make money, and what your plans are for growth, for example to investors or partners.
Storytelling
Powerfully conveying your idea or brand story so that people feel connected to it.
Strategy
A smart plan that describes how you will achieve your goals – step by step, with clear choices and direction.
Financial language
Angel Investor
A person who invests money in a startup, often at an early stage. They sometimes also help with knowledge and contacts.
Early funding
Initial funding – the first funds you raise to launch or test your startup.
Financial forecast
Expectations about how much money your company will earn and spend in the future.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
An initial, simple version of your product or service that you can use to test whether customers want to use it.
Proof of Concept (PoC)
A test or prototype that demonstrates that your idea truly works in practice.
Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
What makes your product or service unique to your target audience.
Validation program
A process in which you learn to test whether your idea works before investing a lot of money or time in it.
Value proposition
A company that invests money in promising startups in exchange for shares.
Venture Capitalist (VC)
A company that invests money in promising startups in exchange for shares.
Are there any words you wish you knew that could help other startups? Email them to marketing@plnt.nl.