There’s a critical advantage inherent in being the first to market, for a start-up or early stage company it’s an imperative. With that in mind, many entrepreneurs rush into the process – only to find that investors and other funders have lots of unexpected questions that need to be answered before they’re willing to commit. Providing those answers often means addressing fundamental business issues, including operations and marketing strategies. While this necessary work is being done, windows of opportunity can and do close.

It is possible to streamline a start up launch by addressing the areas of concern prior to initial meetings with investors. The most efficient way to do this, particularly if the start ups’ founders have expertise primarily outside of the business arena, is to work with experienced professionals who are focused on building out the core business needs.

There are certain fundamental requirements necessary to any successful business. Each piece is essential: the product or service, the brand, strategy, and marketing but also the company structure, management and oversight,. By identifying and adopting the best practices relevant to your particular industry quickly, it becomes possible to mitigate the time-consuming, costly process of trial and error many start ups spend months, even years, floundering through.

When time is of the essence, preparation is essential. Learn more about the five core facets of start up preparation here. Having all of the essential components in place makes your start up far more interesting to investors – a better opportunity for their consideration, and a stronger foundation for your business.