Startups Guidance Framework

# Startup Advisory Guidance Framework

Develop a structured guidance framework for advising [STARTUP_NAME], a [STARTUP_TYPE] at [STAGE] seeking support in [FOCUS_AREAS] (e.g., go-to-market strategy, product-market fit, team building, fundraising).

## Advisory Context
- **Advisor role:** [ROLE] (formal advisor, mentor, investor, accelerator program manager)
- **Engagement model:** [ENGAGEMENT] (monthly calls, weekly check-ins, intensive workshops)
- **Startup's biggest risk:** [RISK]
- **Desired outcome in 6 months:** [OUTCOME]

## Guidance Framework

### 1. Diagnostic Assessment
Describe how to assess a startup's current state across 6 dimensions: market, product, team, traction, financials, and operations. Provide 5 diagnostic questions per dimension.

### 2. Priority Matrix
Explain how to help founders identify their single most important constraint (Goldratt's Theory of Constraints applied to startups) and focus 80% of energy there.

### 3. Go-to-Market Advisory
Provide a GTM framework for [STARTUP_TYPE]: ICP definition, channel hypothesis, sales motion (self-serve, inside sales, enterprise), and first 90-day GTM experiment plan.

### 4. Investor Readiness Checklist
List 15 indicators that a startup is ready for its next funding round, across product, traction, team, and narrative.

### 5. Accountability System
Design a structured accountability system for advisor-founder relationship: weekly updates format, OKR tracking, and how to navigate difficult conversations.

### 6. Resource & Network Activation
Describe how an advisor should leverage their network and resources on behalf of the startup: warm intros, reference checks, customer connections, talent referrals.

### 7. Common Inflection Points
Identify 5 critical startup inflection points and the specific guidance needed at each.