Before embarking on their startup journey, founders need a holistic approach to carving out a strong foundation from which to grow sustainably. Doug Peris shares the 14-stage roadmap to achieve this.

At Founders Bridge, we have developed a comprehensive 14-stage roadmap designed to significantly support founders in their approach to startup planning. While most founders primarily depend on pitch decks and financial spreadsheets, this framework offers a stronger foundation for business success.

Here’s a breakdown of the essential stages:

1. Strategic Planning: A thorough 3-5 year outlook that sets clear milestones, KPIs, and resource allocation plans, ensuring the business has a well-defined path to follow.
2. Tactical Battle Plan: A dynamic 12-month action plan that aligns marketing, sales, operations, technology, and finance initiatives, transforming strategy into tangible daily actions.
3. Legal Framework: An organised strategy for protecting intellectual property, establishing contracts, and ensuring compliance across all jurisdictions in which the business operates.
4. Sales & Marketing: An integrated approach to boosting brand awareness, generating leads, and sealing deals using data-driven tactics and effective customer relationship management.
5. Financials: A detailed financial infrastructure detailing profit and loss, burn rates, and runway calculations bolstered by strong monitoring systems and forecasting models.
6. Human Capital: A talent management strategy that emphasises recruitment, retention, skills, compensation, and succession planning while balancing internal resources with contracted staff.
7. Business Operations: An efficient method for handling daily operations, which includes standard operating procedures, compliance standards, and essential business tools.
8. Technology & Product Development: Understanding what you need for product evolution and technology adoption, ensuring the business remains competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.
9. Supply Chain Management: A comprehensive approach to logistics, supplier relationships, and optimising operational efficiency throughout the supply chain.
10. Crisis and Risk Management: A proactive strategy for identifying, preparing for, and tackling potential business disruptions and challenges.
11. Board and Corporate Governance: An organised method for establishing strong oversight and leadership via carefully crafted board structures and governance practices.
12. Growth and Scaling: A systematic framework for expansion, whether through new markets, partnerships, or acquisitions, supported by data-driven decision-making.
13. Investor Strategy: A refined approach to managing investor relationships, fundraising, and fostering effective communication with stakeholders.
14. Ongoing Support: A system for the regular review and adjustment of all business aspects, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to evolving market conditions.

Why This Matters

Although pitch decks and financial spreadsheets are valuable tools, they do not provide the extensive guidance necessary for sustainable business success. This 14-stage roadmap presents three essential advantages:

1. Holistic Business Planning: It considers all vital aspects of business operations, minimising the risk of neglecting key elements that could affect success.
2. Strategic Integration: This framework ensures that all business components function together cohesively instead of operating in silos.
3. Long-term Sustainability: By offering structured guidance for both immediate and future challenges, it assists businesses in developing a stronger foundation for enduring success.

For startup founders who aim to create sustainable, successful businesses, this comprehensive roadmap offers a more thorough and strategic approach than conventional planning tools alone.