free advice services for startups

With us, you get a chance to join the big league. EPAM has come a long way from a budding team of software engineers in 1993 to being one of the fastest growing public tech companies in the world as of today. We’ve been there, done that — and now are ready to share the knowledge so you can make your progress faster and fail-safe.

*Please note the number of spots on this advisory program is limited at any given time. If there are no spots available, you may be put on the waiting list.

Apart from applying to this free advisory program, there are multiple ways you can find a startup advisor to help you make positive progress with your business:

• Professional networks: Attend industry conferences, business seminars, and other networking events in your industry. Look for people who have a track record of success in a similar field and who seem open to new opportunities.
• Online platforms: Utilize Linkedin to find potential advisors by exploring their experience and connecting with them.
• Industry events and meetups: Various communities host pitch events, hackathons, etc. where you can meet potential advisors. Frequent such environments to foster relationships with potential advisors.
• Entrepreneurial programs: Participate in incubators, accelerators and entrepreneurship programs where you can meet and connect with mentors who could potentially be your startup advisors.
• Existing connections: Your existing professional relationships or referrals from your business acquaintances can also be a potential source for finding startup advisors.
• Universities: Professors or other professionals tied to academia in your field can be a great resource.

Before you engage with a potential advisor, prepare yourself and know what challenges you are looking to address. It's important to let them know why you think they are a good fit and what kind of advice you are seeking.

Firstly, try to connect with experienced entrepreneurs, particularly those who have journeyed in your chosen industry. They've been where you stand - at the starting line of a business venture, so they can provide you with insights, share their own experiences, pitfalls to avoid, and how to navigate the world of entrepreneurship. But remember, every experience is unique, so what worked for them might not exactly work for you. Still, of course, their lessons can help you avoid certain mistakes and give you a clearer vision of the path ahead.

One underestimated source of assistance can come from business advisors. Their purpose is to provide guidance, based on years of experience assisting businesses at every stage of development. They can offer you valuable perspectives on your business plan, marketing strategy and even methods to manage your business effectively.

One important piece of advice is to not shy away from having key discussions with lawyers. Understanding the legal landscape where your business will operate is crucial. This may concern your business structure, its formation, documents, agreements, legal compliance, as well as intellectual property rights — the legal bit of setting up a business is really fundamental.

Lastly, potential investors can provide unique insights when you're starting a business, particularly on what they look for in a successful startup. Even if you are not looking for investment right away, the feedback you get may help you fine-tune your business proposal.

Crafting a succinct and impactful problem statement is a critical aspect of your startup advisory program application. So, here are some steps you can follow to make it effective.

First, identify the problem clearly. Your problem should be a specific issue that your startup is facing. Try to avoid being vague or overly broad.

Next, back up your problem statement with real data. Use numbers, if possible, to give context to the problem you’re experiencing and show its magnitude.

Then, express the impact of this problem. How is it affecting your stakeholders or users? Highlight what's at stake if the problem continues unaddressed. What potential losses or inconveniences are involved? Be careful to differentiate between the superficial appearance of the problem and what's underlying it.

In general, it’s recommended that your problem statement answer these questions:

• Who are the stakeholders affected by the problem?
• What is the current state compared to the desired state? How large is the gap between these states?
• When is the problem occurring or what is the time period involved?
• Where is the problem occurring? Is it within your team, region, or market?
• Why is it important to solve the problem? What is the magnitude and impact of the problem?