Building a Strong Portfolio in the Early Stages of a Startup: Tips and Strategies

Creating a portfolio for a startup can be a challenging task, especially when the founders are still in the process of figuring out their product and target market. But before we consider a portfolio in the context of a startup, let’s review the general notion of a work portfolio:

A portfolio is a collection of work that demonstrates an individual's skills, abilities, and accomplishments, and it is an important tool for whoever want to showcase their talents and expertise to potential customers.

Be Flexible Regarding Your Target Audience

Startup founders often face challenges considering a portfolio exactly because they focus on the idea of a portfolio for a target customer. Without a clear understanding of their product and customers, knowing what to include in the portfolio and how to present it effectively isn't easy.

This lack of clarity can lead to feeling stuck and may even cause founders to abandon the idea of a portfolio altogether. In some cases, the very act of considering a portfolio may be perceived as a distraction.

To address this complication, founders might consider being more flexible about the audience for their portfolios. With that, they can open their options such as to showcase their skills and experience.

Even if the startup does not yet have a specific product or service, the founders likely have a range of skills and experience they can highlight in one or many portfolios. This could include past work, educational achievements, relevant certifications, or showcasing special projects.

For example, consider Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, the founders of Airbnb, that were designers by background and attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). As they struggled to keep their startup running, they came up with the idea of selling custom breakfast cereal boxes with themes inspired by the US presidential campaign.

They sold boxes of "Obama Oh's: The Breakfast of Change" and "Captain McCain Cereal: A Maverick in Every Bite," and not only were they able to keep their startup operating, but this creative solution also caught the attention of future investors:

Prototypes and Mock-Ups

Another option is to include prototypes or mock-ups of potential products or services in the portfolio. While these may not be fully developed or finalized, they can give a sense of the direction of the startup and the types of products or services they are considering.

It is also important for the founders to communicate their vision and mission for the startup as a portfolio. This can help potential investors and partners understand the startup's direction and the value they hope to bring to the market.

Final Thoughts

Overall, creating a portfolio for a startup in the early stages of development can be challenging. Still, it is an essential part of building a successful business.

By focusing on the founders' skills and experience, prototypes or mock-ups of potential products, and communicating the startup's vision and mission, founders can create a portfolio that showcases the potential of their startup and attracts the attention of potential investors and partners.

Photo by Hal Gatewood on Unsplash