3 Unique Growth Startup Strategies Founders Must Use Today (With Examples)
Strategies to Grow and Scale your Startup.
99% of startups won't launch.
99% of startups won't find MVP.
99% of startups won't grow.
Nonetheless, you can be in the 1 % range if you apply these strategies.
If you apply these strategies properly:
You will increase revenue.
You will increase market share value.
You will ensure long-term sustainability.
How can you do that?
Employing these three potent growth strategies will help you quickly expand your business.
1. Network effects.
The more people use your product or service, the more valuable people will perceive it.
This strategy leverages user growth to enhance product value and amplify distribution channels.
Founders should work hard to increase their user base and allow users to earn incentives/rewards by sharing and recommending your solution, product, or services.
Example: Airbnb
Airbnb exemplifies this strategy by connecting hosts and guests globally.
As more hosts list their properties, the service becomes more attractive to guests because they have more options.
Conversely, as more guests use Airbnb, it becomes more appealing for hosts due to the increased potential for revenue. This mutual enhancement of value helps Airbnb dominate the home-sharing market.
2. Market Expansion
Dominate one market at a time, then expand to the next segment to attract additional customers.
There are three main types of market expansion:
Geographic expansion.
Demographics expansion.
Offerings (Products) expansion.
Example: Spotify
Spotify quickly expanded its service to 80 new countries to capture a broader audience.
This geographic expansion allowed Spotify to tap into markets with less competition in music streaming, thereby increasing its global market share and user base.
3. Strategic Partnerships
Leverage your weaknesses and amplify your strengths through partnership.
Forming strategic partnerships by combining two entities' resources, expertise, and market reach.
But choose well your enemies as your allies.
Collaborate with other companies to enhance product offerings, expand distribution channels, or co-market services.
Example: Facebook and Instagram
Facebook's acquisition of Instagram is a prime example of strategic growth through partnership.
By acquiring Instagram, Facebook not only eliminated a potential competitor but also gained access to a younger demographic, enhancing its overall market position and offering integrated social media services.
4. Lean Operations
Startup (or business) creation is about systems creation and system efficiency.
First, you must identify robust systems that enhance your operations.
Later, work hard to make these processes as efficient and flexible as possible.
The caveat here is that this strategy involves meticulous budgeting, prioritizing investments, and continuous adjustment.
But nothing has been said before that will help you minimize unknown risks (black swan events) and quickly adapt to market changes.
Example: Oppenheimer's Approach for Startups
Startups that adopt lean operations prioritize essential investments and adjust budgets regularly to respond to changing market dynamics.
This approach helps maintain financial discipline, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the company's ability to seize emerging opportunities.
Conclusion
The imperative primary function of any startup is to become scalable while growing (see image below).
You must always examine growing opportunities and establish a strong market presence.
If you understand and implement these strategies effectively, you can have an advantage over your competition.
But use them wisely. Tailor your strategies to fit a startup's specific needs and circumstances.
Thanks a lot for reading Founder I/O 🫡. See you in the following article 👇.