Shepard expertly teaches you to use industry-specific language, secure the right investments, build powerful relationships with investors, and prevent the pitfalls that cause first-time startups to fail.
What's more, this field guide also includes free access to the most used startup platform for universities, putting everything you need at your fingertips including world-class, easy-to-comprehend education, investors, grants, and more. Don't just learn—build your startup with the seven-phase startup lifecycle in digital form, supplementary training courses, and wisdom from more than thousands of interviews.
Sponsored by the Fulbright Program, The Startup Lifecycle imparts battle-tested business science from the mind of one of the most unique and accomplished entrepreneurs of our time, giving you the roadmap to startup
The Startup Lifecycle is here to empower entrepreneurs and help you avert common mishaps by providing an easy-to-follow path through seven key phases, leading you from your initial vision to your lucrative exit—and along the way, improving the world for future generations:
Vision & North Star, focuses on aligning your startup's purpose with long-term goals, validating your idea through market research, and establishing a clear guiding principle for decision-making and direction.
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The Startup Lifecycle is here to empower entrepreneurs
Due to a range of frequent and unavoidable mistakes, only ten percent of startups make it beyond five years. In this game-changing guide, startup veteran and serial entrepreneur Gregory Shepard combines twelve startup exits, four private equity awards, and decades' worth of expert insight and industry experience—including interviews with real entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, Air Force Fighter Pilots, and more—to present you with straightforward, actionable strategies for mapping out your startup and achieving success.
The Startup Lifecycle is here to empower entrepreneurs and help you avert common mishaps by providing an easy-to-follow path through seven key phases, leading you from your initial vision to your lucrative exit—and along the way, improving the world for future generations:
Praise
Building a startup with this book is like following a simple recipe that turns basic ingredients into a meal you never thought you'd dare try to make...clear steps and no fluff for people to serve up success on a silver platter.
This book is a must for anyone seeking a solid foundation in entrepreneurship, blending practical advice with inspiring stories. Whether you're already in the game or just dreaming of starting, it provides actionable insights to help you navigate the journey and turn ideas into reality.
If you’re serious about building a startup, you need to read this book. Gregory Shepard’s The Startup Lifecycle is hands down the best guide I’ve come across. He’s been through it all—12 exits—and knows what works and what doesn’t. It’s broken down into 7 clear phases that cover everything from idea to exit, with zero fluff and a ton of real-world advice that’s actually useful. You’ll walk away knowing exactly what steps to take and what pitfalls to avoid, whether you’re just starting or already scaling. Honestly, it’s like having a mentor in book form. Highly recommend!
In a recent board meeting, my CFO chuckled when I mentioned I was reading a book about startups. At the time, I didn’t have the perfect rebuttal, but the truth is that understanding the fundamentals is vital at any stage. Whether you’re a new founder, an experienced CEO like me, or someone with a couple of exits, this book will open your eyes to the aspects of business creation that often go unnoticed. Shepherd emphasizes the importance of laying a solid foundation and keeps a keen focus on the exit strategy. While not seeking an exit, I am constantly working to build enterprise value by knowing my customers and potential acquirers. My philosophy is that employees are the most critical people in a company; happy employees create happy customers, not the other way around. This book reinforces that mindset by pointing out that a strong company culture and clear vision are essential for long-term success. I’ve recommended The Startup Lifecycle to many entrepreneurs and a few people launching startups. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an established business, this book is an essential read. Joshua Hebert, CEO MagellanJets.com
Great read for young people (or anyone) interested in entrepreneurship. It’s filled with important info for people new to entrepreneurship, while having important reminders for more experienced entrepreneurs, too. I liked how the author went through the full life cycle of entrepreneurship — from launching to acquisition. Also, the founders story is powerful — showcasing the power of perseverance needed to succeed in entrepreneurship.
Gregory has not only interviewed 1200 founders, he has had several successful exits himself. I have read many books on startups and entrepreneurship and this is, and I do not say this lightly, the most comprehensive playbook to startup success that I have encountered. I have interviewed Gregory twice on my show Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, as well as almost four hundred other founders. Gregory is the real deal, humble, wise, and generously shares his brilliance in this book.
Fantastic approach to building a young company. It's focused on growth companies in the venture capital space, but 90% is also relevant to building a successful 'lifestyle' business. Great thought process for anyone trying to make an impact by moving an idea effectively through execution!
The prospect of gambling some of your future and your own idea is daunting to say the least. When you're faced with the reality that 90% of startups fail this prospect seems nothing short of moronic. When armed with the information on how challenging creating a successful startup is; if you're still interested--like me-- you're probably trying to find every resource that can give you an edge and this is one of the best I've come across. This book does a tremendous job of outlining the major pitfalls that most of these failed startups stumble into along with teaching how to successfully navigate them. An engaging read, full of well researched insights. A must read for anyone in the startup space whether you're actively running a company or are playing with the idea of betting on yourself and building something.
Robert Friedman, Country Manager Sweden, Israel Ministry of Economy
With a focus on not only achieving financial success but also making a positive difference in the world, The Startup Lifecycle is a must-read for anyone embarking on the entrepreneurial journey. Whether you’re a seasoned founder or a first-time entrepreneur, this book will equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to build a successful startup while leaving a lasting impact on society.
Jan Smit ScaleUpNation Netherlands