Tips for Starting a Tech Company Without Tech Experience

Do you have an amazing idea for an app or new technology that could change the world – but no idea how to do it?

The good news is that starting a tech company doesn’t mean you need to be a tech genius. Take a look at Air BnB: two people with a great idea but zero tech knowledge built a rapid-growth startup because they asked the right people to help.

If you want to create the next big thing in tech but have no idea where to start, follow these tips.

Five Tips for Starting a Tech Company (Without Being an Expert)

The main thing you need to remember is that your big idea can become reality if you get the right support at an early stage.

1. Do What You Can Do Alone

Before you start looking for other people to help you build your tech dream, make sure you have a clear idea of what you want.

Interview potential customers or existing tech gurus. Find out if your idea fits with a market need.

Develop your plans: write a roadmap for development and launch. How will you market your startup? Who needs to be involved, and at which stage?

Knowing your product or service inside-out will help you to create a lean but effective startup strategy.

2. Learn the Basics

You’ll be using experts to develop and deliver your tech startup idea, but it’s useful to know the basics. There’s nothing worse than being in a meeting where you have no idea what people are talking about.

Find out what you might need to know and spend time learning the basics. For example, if you can’t code or think Java is only a type of coffee, do some research or take a beginner’s course.

You don’t need to know everything, but it will help you to identify whether the experts you’re using really do know what they are on about.

3. Identify the Knowledge You Need

Do you know how to build a website but need advice on app development? Do you need someone to help you access tech-based venture capital?

Perhaps you need someone to project manage web developers and engineers while you start the marketing plans. You might need a business advisor to help you make realistic plans and budgets.

Research the skills that will be required to make your idea a reality. Turn this list into a job description or two and find the people with the right knowledge to hire for your startup.

4. Use Freelancers or Outsource for a Fast Launch

Freelancers or specialist app development agencies will be more cost-effective for your startup than hiring in-house experts straight away.

Find people who you can outsource the tech development too, and make sure your agreements include clauses to protect your idea and intellectual property.

Agree that any developments are those of the company. This way, you can then hire in-house staff to continue projects when you’re in a growth stage of the business.

5. Make Yourself Useful as the Face of the Company

While your developers are making your idea reality, use this time to connect with relevant buyers and to build up market excitement for your offering.

You become the face of sales for your business: it’s your idea, after all. Get out there and network as much as possible, build relationships with suppliers, investors, and customers before your product is even ready.

This will provide you with a platform that’s receptive to your product launch. You’ll be able to generate sales more quickly and with more of a market buzz than if you wait until your product is ready to do any marketing.

Start Your Tech Company Today

Now that you know that starting a tech company doesn’t mean you need to be a whizz with technology or an established entrepreneur, it’s time to make your dream a reality.

Try our business kickoff kit: it gives you everything you need to take your tech company idea and run with it.