F/MS Startup Game Blog FAQ
First-time founder questions, answered in a few sentences each, with a link to the page that goes deeper.
Questions about playing the game itself are answered in the F/MS Startup Game FAQ.
What do first-time founders ask most?
Short answers to the questions we hear from new founders every week.
How do I know if my startup idea is good?
Talk to ten people who have the problem, without pitching, and ask what they do about it today. If they already spend time or money on a workaround, the idea is worth a small test. Our first startup checklist walks you through it.
How much money do I need to start?
Less than you think for the first test: a domain, a simple page and a form cost under €100. Spend more only after people sign up or pay.
Do I need a technical co-founder?
Not for your first test. Zero-code tools, a manual service or a landing page let you prove demand first, and a proven idea makes it easier to find a technical partner.
What is a minimum viable product?
The smallest version of your product that lets real customers get the main result. It can be manual behind the scenes. Minimum viable product examples show how small it can be.
How do I find my first customers?
Start with the people you interviewed, then pick one channel where your customers already spend time and test it for 30 days with a clear pass mark.
How should I price my first product?
Ask for money early and test two or three prices with real offers. A willingness-to-pay test tells you more than a survey.
When should I register a company?
When you are about to take money from customers or sign contracts. Check your country's rules; in most of Europe a sole proprietorship is quick to set up and enough to start.
Should I raise funding for my first startup?
Only when money is the thing standing between you and growth you have already seen. Paying customers make every later funding conversation easier.
What is F/MS Startup Game?
A startup game where you build your own startup step by step and practise each decision with PlayPal, your AI co-founder, in SANDBOX before you act in the real world.
Is this blog only for women founders?
The Fe/male Switch ecosystem is women-first, and every guide works for any first-time founder.