Before Starting My New Company, I Set One Clear Goal: Close our first customer. Build nothing until then. Why? Because easy money is gone. We’re in a time where traction, ideas, or a little revenue can still get you funded. But for AI-driven ventures, to achieve 10x-plus returns, it has to stick. So, I took a revenue-first approach: > Revenue first > Company Formation second > Fundraising third This approach is unlike anything I’ve done before. Now, we’re navigating the next phase: --> Building the product based on our thesis and real paying customer feedback --> Building a team that really believes in the vision without any funding --> Honing in on the ICP and figuring out what our wedge would be --> Execution to close more customers (Follow along as I share each step in real-time.) I’d call this the revenue stage rather than the venturing stage. There’s so much to figure out, but one thing’s clear: Start with revenue. Build from there. Everything else follows.
Excited to see what you’re building
I’m a fan of this no-nonsense approach. Real paying customers = real validation. Everything else feels secondary until you’ve proven someone’s willing to pay. Wishing you a successful execution phase
I have always believed that for majority of the companies to start out, code isn’t required. Code can always help later once you are ready to scale. Glad to see that even an AI startup is starting out without building anything
This is entrepreneurship 2.0—lean, customer-driven, and laser-focused on outcomes. The revenue-first approach is definitely a mindset I’m bookmarking.
love the revenue first approach
Love this approach—starting with revenue not only validates your idea but also creates a strong foundation for sustainable growth. It's refreshing to see such a disciplined strategy in the startup space, especially during these times, Ajay.
Curious, how do you prioritise features with paying customers?
one of the most important thing for a business is sales
You are right Ajay! Close customer first.
Follow for posts about Personal Development, Leadership Skills, Productivity & Life Hacks
3wInnovative approach Ajay Y.