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After running summits since 2015, I got a lot of emails from entrepreneurs asking how to do this and that.
It all boiled down to one thing: They needed support in scaling their businesses.
I was building one of my own, and I realized that I actually had the blueprint to help them.
I understand their struggles. How hard it was to turn a vision into consistent income. How challenging it is to constantly second-guess decisions.
I’ve been in their shoes. That’s why I’m passionate about helping and sharing what I know.
If my story sounds like yours, becoming a startup coach might be the career path for you.
This guide will walk you through what a startup coach does, the different types of startup coaching, and the steps you can take to become one.
Whether you’re a beginner coach looking to specialize or a seasoned one planning to shift niches, this article has everything you need to know to grow your business.
What Is a Startup Coach?
A startup coach is a professional who guides and supports startup founders through the many challenges of launching and growing a new business.
Think of yourself as a strategic partner who brings expertise, an outside perspective, and accountability to the table.
Some well-known examples of top startup coaches include:
- Matt Mochary: Coached leaders at Silicon Valley and major tech companies using proven frameworks and software.
- Alisa Cohn: Named as a top startup and executive coach by Marshall Goldsmith. Supports leaders in maximizing their impact and team performance.
What makes these startup coaches special is their ability to combine practical business strategies with a deep understanding of challenges founders face.
What is startup coaching?
Startup coaching is a process where a coach works with an entrepreneur to clarify their business goals and create actionable steps to achieve them.
You’re not just giving advice. You play a pivotal role in helping entrepreneurs think differently and make informed decisions.
Here’s why startup coaching matters for business success:
- You provide guidance to prevent and avoid common pitfalls.
- You apply a structured approach to problem-solving.
- You offer much-needed insight and support.
The work you do is the difference between a business that just gets by and one that thrives.
Why do people hire a startup coach?
The journey of a startup founder is exciting, but it’s often filled with uncertainty. That’s why they seek expert guidance.
Here are some common reasons why people explore coaching for startups:
- To get an objective perspective on their business idea.
- To develop a clear and compelling pitch for investors.
- To gain access to a wider network of contacts in the startup ecosystem.
- To improve their negotiation and leadership skills.
- To manage time and resources more effectively.
- To build a strong and effective team.
- To create strategies for scaling and business growth and development.
- To overcome the personal and professional business challenges that come with running a startup.
What Does a Startup Coach Do? (6 Types)
A startup coach can wear many hats, and their role often depends on the specific needs of the startup they are working with.
Choosing one niche to specialize in can make you stand out from other startup coaches. It also helps you position yourself as a valuable and unique expert.
Here are six common types of startup coaches to consider:
1. Startup founder coach
A startup founder coach focuses on the founders themselves, helping them develop the mindset and skills needed to lead a successful business.
If you want to become this type of coaching expert, you need:
- Strong empathy and growth mindset
- Experience in personal and professional growth
- The ability to provide constructive feedback
- Mindset techniques in building resilience and learning from failures
2. Startup pitch coach
A startup pitch coach specializes in helping founders create and deliver a powerful pitch to attract angel investors or venture capital firms. You aim to help founders communicate their vision with confidence.
To succeed in this role, you need:
- A deep understanding of what investors look for
- Experience in storytelling, public speaking, and creating persuasive presentations.
3. Tech startup coach
A tech startup coach has specific expertise in the technology industry. You guide founders on product development, market fit, and scaling a tech-based startup business.
If this is your calling, you’ll need:
- A strong background in technology
- Experience as a software developer, product manager, or tech entrepreneur
- Knowledge of industry trends to provide relevant advice
4. Business startup coach
A business startup coach offers comprehensive guidance on all aspects of starting a business, from creating a business plan to managing operations. This is a broader role that covers various business fundamentals.
To become a business startup coach, you need:
- A solid understanding of different business models
- Knowledge of best practices in marketing, finance, and sales
This is a great path for someone with an MBA or experience as a business owner.
5. Lean startup coach
A lean startup coach helps founders apply the principles of the lean startup methodology. This involves building, measuring, and learning quickly to create a sustainable business.
To excel as a lean startup coach, you must:
- Be an expert in lean methodology
- Have skills in helping founders test their assumptions
- Be able to guide clients in analyzing customer feedback for product iterations
6. Startup CEO coach
A startup CEO coach works with founders who have grown into the CEO role. This coaching focuses on high-level leadership skills, strategic thinking, and managing a growing team.
This role requires:
- Significant leadership experience, often as a former CEO or senior executive
- A high level of strategic insight and emotional intelligence.
Many executive coaches also specialize in this area.
How to Become a Startup Coach
Becoming a startup coach is a journey that involves leveraging your knowledge and experience to guide others.
While dealing with C-level and premium clients can seem intimidating at first, showing up prepared helps you show up with confidence.
Here are the steps to get started on this fulfilling career path:
1. Find your niche
The first step is to identify your area of expertise.
- Think about your professional background and where you can provide the most value.
- Ask yourself, “Am I an expert in marketing, finance, or technology?”
- Picture your ideal clients. Who do you want to help and in what area?
Specializing in a niche (e.g., mindset coach, performance coach) will help you attract the right leads and establish yourself as an authority.
2. Develop your coaching skills
Being an expert in a field is different from being a good coach. You need to learn how to:
- Listen actively: Catch both what your clients say and don’t say.
- Ask powerful questions: Give them prompts and guide them without giving all the answers.
- Establish rapport: A successful coaching practice is built on strong relationships.
Consider taking courses on coaching techniques to develop these abilities.
3. Gain coaching experience
You need hands-on coaching experience to improve your coaching process and gather testimonials.
- Build your portfolio: Start by offering your services for free or at a reduced rate.
- Offer mentoring: Work with aspiring entrepreneurs through a local incubator or accelerator program.
4. Build your personal brand
Create a professional online presence so potential clients can easily find you.
- Create a website, a LinkedIn profile, and active social media accounts.
- Share valuable content to showcase your expertise (e.g., tips for validating entrepreneurial ideas).
Building a strong personal brand is key to attracting clients to your coaching business.
5. Create your Magic Pill offer
Develop clear and attractive coaching program packages. Here are some examples to inspire you:
- Startup Launchpad: From Idea to Market in 90 Days
- 3-Month Startup Kickoff Package: Build Your Business Blueprint
- 6-Month Startup Scale-Up Intensive
- The Startup CEO Intensive: End-to-End Coaching Experience
Once you’ve nailed your coaching offers, price your services based on the value you provide and your level of experience.
6. Set up your lead generation machine
Like a well-oiled system, find ways to bring in potential clients like:
- Appearing on a startup podcast and sharing your expertise
- Hosting virtual summits and giving audiences a taste of working with you
- Networking at industry events and asking for referrals
- Joining online communities for entrepreneurs and getting them interested
7. Continuously improve
The business world is always changing, so it’s important to stay current with industry trends and continue your own professional development.
Get feedback from your clients and always look for ways to improve your coaching approach.
What Do You Need to Be a Startup Coach?
Excited to try this career path? Foundational coaching skills and business know-how are important to get your foot in the door.
Before you even face clients, make sure you’re working on these skills:
5 Skills every startup coach should have
Your expertise should be grounded in these skills to guide founders to success.
- Understanding of the startup process: You need to know the journey from idea to execution, as well as the common difficulties entrepreneurs face.
- Strong communication skills: You must be able to explain complex ideas clearly and listen actively.
- Empathy and emotional intelligence: Know how to relate with founders and help them work through their mental and emotional barriers.
- Problem-solving abilities: When faced with different business challenges, it matters if you can analyze the situation and provide a new perspective.
- Organizational skills: A good startup coach is detail-oriented and can create a structured coaching plan.
Do you need a degree to become a startup coach?
No, you don’t need a specific degree to become a startup coach.
A degree in business, psychology, or a related field can be helpful. But your practical knowledge and experience are often more valuable than a formal qualification.
What’s most important is your proven track record of success. This shows executives and leaders that you can actually get the job done.
4 Startup coach certification
While not always required, a certification improves client trust and provides you with a structured framework. That said, here are five certification programs to consider:
- Business Fundamentals and Startup Life Coach Certification (Transformation Academy): This coaching program covers essential business concepts and how to coach new entrepreneurs through the startup journey.
- Master Entrepreneurship Coach Certification (Transformation Academy): Adopt tools to support business owners at every stage of their startup career. This covers business coaching 101 and productivity techniques.
- IPEC’s Business Coach Certification Program: The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) offers a comprehensive program that focuses on business development and coaching techniques.
- Small Business Coach Training: This program is specifically designed to equip you with the tools to coach small business owners.
How Much Do Startup Coaches Make?
The average annual salary for a startup consultant in the United States is $103,425. Salaries can range from $21,000-$247,000.
- 25% percentile: $50,500
- 75th percentile: $130,000
- Top earners: $192,500
The income of a startup coach can vary widely based on experience, niche, and location.
How much does a startup coach cost
The fees for a startup coach can be structured in different ways. Some coaches charge by the hour, while others offer packages.
- Hourly rates: $150-$1,000
- Coaching packages: $1,000-$10,000 monthly (with email support)
These rates vary depending on your experience, reputation, and depth of support provided.
How to Start a Startup Coaching Business
Ready to start a coaching business? Whether you’re aiming to be an entrepreneur coach or a coach for small businesses, having a solid plan goes a long way.
It allows you to run your business on your own terms and make a real impact.
Let’s look at this simple roadmap so you’ll be ready to become a business coach for startups:
How to start a coaching business
Here is a step-by-step guide to help you launch your startup coaching business and get coaching clients as a business coach:
- Define your target audience: Get crystal clear on who you want to serve. Check data related to your target clients, like small business statistics, to understand their behavior.
- Create a business plan: Outline your business goals, services, pricing, and marketing strategy.
- Set up your business structure: Decide if you’ll operate as a sole proprietor, LLC, or another entity. Handle the legal and financial setup.
- Develop your Magic Pill offer: Create compelling coaching packages that are customized to the unique needs of your clients.
- Build your online presence: Launch a professional website and create profiles on relevant social media platforms.
- Market your services: Start networking and reaching out to potential clients. Position yourself as a business coach for coaches by becoming the authority at virtual events and podcasts.
- Deliver exceptional value: Once you have clients, focus on providing the best possible coaching experience to build a strong reputation. The impact of coaching is seen in your clients’ results.
How to Get Coaching Startup Ideas
Want to launch a coaching startup but stuck on ideas? Here’s your quick guide to brainstorming:
- Hunt pain points: Chat with entrepreneurs on LinkedIn or Reddit about struggles like funding or scaling.
- Validate ideas: Test three offers (e.g., MVP coaching) with free coaching sessions and learn from feedback.
- Don’t aim for perfection: Start small, iterate fast, and watch your business take off.
5 Startup founder stories
Looking at startup founder stories and entrepreneurship examples gives you insight into the challenges your clients face. When thinking of what to offer, these can inform your coaching style and focus.
Let’s look at some examples:
- Brian Chesky (Airbnb): His story of perseverance and creativity in the face of rejection is a powerful lesson in resilience.
- Sara Blakely (Spanx): She started her company with just $5,000 and grew it into a billion-dollar brand, showing the power of a clear vision.
- Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn): His focus on networking and building professional relationships highlights the importance of the startup community.
- Whitney Wolfe Herd (Bumble): She identified a unique market need and built a company that empowers women, proving the importance of understanding your customers’ needs and aspirations.
- Daniel Ek (Spotify): His journey shows how to disrupt an entire industry by understanding the needs and context of modern consumers.
Success Starts Here
As a startup coach, you’re in the unique position to support leaders and founders who shape hundreds of lives beyond you.
Make the most of this meaningful career and expand your impact. Just as you help startups scale, take the step to grow your own coaching business.
Start with my 3-Step Blueprint to Become a Highly-Paid Coach. This plug-and-play system has everything you need to create a highly scalable and highly profitable business.
Three steps are all it takes. Premium clients and high-ticket sales? Secured.
Layla 3X’d her profits. Michael earned $40K in a month.
Yes! I Want to Scale My Coaching Business!
