Top 28 Slang For Entrepreneurs – Meaning & Usage

Entrepreneurs, the movers and shakers of the business world, have a language all their own. From “unicorn” to “bootstrapping,” navigating the world of startup jargon can be a daunting task. Fear not, as we’ve got you covered with a curated list of the top slang terms for entrepreneurs. Stay ahead of the game and brush up on your entrepreneurial lexicon with our latest article!

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1. Pivot

This term refers to the act of changing a company’s business model, strategy, or product in response to market conditions or other factors. It often involves shifting resources, reallocating funds, or pursuing new opportunities.

  • For example, a startup might pivot from being a food delivery service to a grocery delivery platform.
  • In a pitch to investors, an entrepreneur might highlight their ability to pivot and adapt to changing market trends.
  • A business consultant might advise a struggling company to pivot in order to stay competitive.

2. Serial Entrepreneur

This term describes an individual who starts multiple businesses over their career. Serial entrepreneurs are known for their ability to identify opportunities, take risks, and successfully launch and grow multiple ventures.

  • For instance, Elon Musk is a well-known serial entrepreneur, having founded companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and SolarCity.
  • In an interview, a serial entrepreneur might discuss the challenges and rewards of starting and managing multiple businesses.
  • A business magazine might profile a successful serial entrepreneur and highlight their strategies for building multiple successful ventures.

3. Venture Capitalist

A venture capitalist is an individual or firm that provides funding to early-stage or high-potential startups in exchange for equity or ownership in the company. They typically invest large sums of money and play an active role in guiding and supporting the growth of the startups they invest in.

  • For example, a venture capitalist might invest in a technology startup that shows promise for disruptive innovation.
  • In a panel discussion, a venture capitalist might share insights on the startup ecosystem and the criteria they use to evaluate potential investments.
  • An entrepreneur seeking funding might pitch their business idea to a group of venture capitalists.

4. Exit Strategy

An exit strategy refers to a plan or strategy that an entrepreneur or business owner has in place for leaving or exiting their business. It could involve selling the business, going public through an initial public offering (IPO), or transferring ownership to a successor.

  • For instance, an entrepreneur might have an exit strategy of selling their company to a larger competitor once it reaches a certain valuation.
  • In a business acquisition negotiation, the buyer might inquire about the seller’s exit strategy.
  • A business advisor might help an entrepreneur develop an exit strategy that aligns with their long-term goals.

5. Angel Investor

An angel investor is an individual who provides financial backing and support to early-stage startups or entrepreneurs in exchange for equity or ownership in the company. Unlike venture capitalists, angel investors typically invest their own money and are often experienced entrepreneurs or industry professionals.

  • For example, an angel investor might fund a promising tech startup with the hope of earning a significant return on their investment.
  • In a startup pitch, an entrepreneur might highlight the involvement of angel investors as a sign of validation and support.
  • A business magazine might feature an angel investor who has successfully backed multiple high-growth startups.

6. Disruptor

A disruptor is a company or individual that introduces a new product, service, or business model that significantly changes or disrupts an existing market or industry. Disruptors often challenge traditional ways of doing things and create innovative solutions.

  • For example, “Uber is considered a disruptor in the transportation industry, revolutionizing the way people book and use rides.”
  • A tech startup might aim to be a disruptor by offering a new technology that challenges established players in the market.
  • A business magazine might feature an article on “10 Disruptors to Watch in 2021.”

7. Burn Rate

Burn rate refers to the rate at which a company is spending its available funds or capital. It is often used to measure how quickly a startup or business is using up its cash reserves before generating positive cash flow or becoming profitable.

  • For instance, “The high burn rate of the startup raised concerns among investors about its sustainability.”
  • A business consultant might advise a company to reduce its burn rate in order to extend its runway and increase its chances of success.
  • A financial analyst might analyze a company’s burn rate to assess its financial health.
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8. Scalable

Scalable refers to a business or startup’s ability to grow and handle increased demand without a proportional increase in costs or resources. A scalable business model or product is designed to accommodate growth and can be easily expanded to serve a larger market.

  • For example, “The software company developed a scalable platform that can handle millions of users.”
  • An investor might be interested in scalable businesses as they have the potential for rapid growth and high returns.
  • A founder might pitch their startup as scalable to attract funding and partnerships.

9. Runway

In the context of startups or entrepreneurship, runway refers to the amount of time a company has before it runs out of funds or capital. It represents the financial lifespan of a business and is often used to assess its sustainability and ability to reach profitability.

  • For instance, “The startup has a runway of 12 months, during which it needs to generate revenue or secure additional funding.”
  • A venture capitalist might evaluate a startup’s runway before deciding to invest.
  • A founder might seek to extend their runway by reducing expenses or raising additional capital.

10. Lean Startup

A lean startup is a business or startup that follows the principles of lean methodology, which focuses on minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency in the early stages of development. It emphasizes iterative product development, customer feedback, and continuous improvement.

  • For example, “The lean startup approach helped the company quickly test and validate its product idea.”
  • An entrepreneur might attend a workshop on lean startup principles to learn how to build a more efficient and successful business.
  • A business mentor might advise a founder to adopt a lean startup approach to minimize risks and optimize resources.

11. Growth Hacking

This term refers to the use of unconventional and creative marketing techniques to rapidly grow a business or increase its reach.

  • For example, a startup might use growth hacking by offering a referral program to incentivize current customers to refer new customers.
  • A growth hacker might experiment with different social media platforms to find the most effective way to reach their target audience.
  • A company might employ growth hacking techniques by optimizing their website for search engines to increase organic traffic.

12. Incubator

An incubator is a program or organization that provides support and resources to early-stage startups to help them grow and succeed.

  • For instance, a tech incubator might offer office space, mentorship, and access to investors for selected startups.
  • Entrepreneurs might join an incubator to gain valuable guidance and networking opportunities.
  • Incubators often host events and workshops to foster collaboration and learning among startups.

13. Stealth Mode

When a startup is in stealth mode, it means they are operating in secrecy and keeping their product or business idea under wraps until they are ready to launch or make a big announcement.

  • For example, a company might go into stealth mode to protect their intellectual property and prevent competitors from copying their idea.
  • Entrepreneurs might choose to operate in stealth mode to build anticipation and generate buzz before their official launch.
  • A startup might come out of stealth mode by unveiling their product at a major industry conference.

14. Unicorns and Rainbows

This phrase is often used sarcastically to describe overly optimistic or idealistic views of entrepreneurship or business success.

  • For instance, someone might say, “Running a startup is not all unicorns and rainbows. It takes hard work and perseverance.”
  • An entrepreneur might caution against having unrealistic expectations by saying, “Don’t expect everything to be unicorns and rainbows in the business world.”
  • Unicorns and rainbows can also be used to describe a business idea or plan that seems too good to be true or overly optimistic.

15. Shark Tank

Shark Tank is a popular reality TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to a panel of wealthy investors, known as “sharks,” in hopes of securing funding for their ventures.

  • For example, a contestant on Shark Tank might say, “I’m here to pitch my innovative product to the sharks.”
  • Entrepreneurs often seek to appear on Shark Tank to gain exposure and potentially secure investment for their startups.
  • The sharks on the show evaluate the pitches and either invest in the businesses or pass on the opportunities.
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16. Scale Up

Refers to the process of growing and expanding a business, usually in terms of increasing revenue, customer base, and market presence. It often involves increasing production, hiring more employees, and expanding into new markets.

  • For example, a startup might aim to scale up their operations after securing funding.
  • A business owner might say, “We need to scale up in order to meet the growing demand for our product.”
  • In a discussion about business growth strategies, someone might suggest, “Scaling up through strategic partnerships can help increase market reach.”

17. Disruptive Innovation

Refers to an innovation that creates a new market or significantly disrupts an existing market. It introduces a new product, service, or technology that fundamentally changes how things are done and often displaces established companies or industries.

  • For instance, the introduction of smartphones and mobile apps disrupted the traditional camera, GPS, and music player industries.
  • A tech enthusiast might say, “Disruptive innovation is what drives progress and pushes industries forward.”
  • In a discussion about business strategies, someone might suggest, “We need to focus on disruptive innovation to stay ahead of our competitors.”

18. Bootcamp

Refers to an intensive and immersive training program designed to quickly teach specific skills or knowledge. It is often used in the context of entrepreneurship to refer to programs that provide entrepreneurs with the necessary skills and knowledge to start or grow a business.

  • For example, a startup founder might attend a bootcamp to learn about marketing and sales strategies.
  • A participant in a bootcamp might say, “The bootcamp was intense but extremely valuable in terms of what I learned.”
  • In a discussion about entrepreneurship education, someone might recommend, “Consider attending a bootcamp to gain practical skills and insights.”

19. Elevator Pitch

Refers to a brief and persuasive summary of a business idea or project that can be delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator. It is often used to quickly and effectively communicate the value proposition of a business to potential investors, partners, or customers.

  • For instance, a startup founder might pitch their business to a potential investor during a chance encounter in an elevator.
  • A business consultant might advise, “Craft a compelling elevator pitch that clearly communicates the problem you’re solving and why your solution is unique.”
  • In a discussion about effective communication, someone might say, “Mastering the elevator pitch is essential for any entrepreneur.”

20. Founderitis

Refers to a situation where the founder of a company becomes too involved in day-to-day operations and decision-making, hindering the growth and success of the business. It can lead to micromanagement, lack of delegation, and a resistance to change or new ideas.

  • For example, a founder suffering from founderitis might insist on reviewing and approving every minor decision made by employees.
  • A business coach might advise, “To overcome founderitis, founders should focus on strategic planning and empower their team to make decisions.”
  • In a discussion about common challenges faced by startups, someone might mention, “Founderitis can be detrimental to a company’s growth and scalability.”

21. Shark

In the context of entrepreneurship, a “shark” refers to an investor who provides funding to startups in exchange for equity or ownership in the company. The term is often associated with investors who are known for their aggressive negotiation tactics and high expectations for returns on their investment.

  • For example, a startup founder might say, “We pitched our business to a group of sharks on Shark Tank.”
  • In a discussion about fundraising, someone might ask, “Do you have any tips for impressing the sharks?”
  • A business journalist might write, “The entrepreneur successfully secured a deal with a prominent shark investor.”

22. Exit

In the world of entrepreneurship, an “exit” refers to the process of selling a company or otherwise monetizing the investment made by the founders and investors. It is a significant milestone for entrepreneurs, as it often represents a successful outcome and financial gain.

  • For instance, an entrepreneur might say, “Our goal is to achieve a successful exit within the next five years.”
  • In a discussion about startup valuations, someone might ask, “How does the potential exit affect the company’s valuation?”
  • A venture capitalist might advise, “It’s important to have a clear exit strategy in mind when pitching to investors.”

23. Venture

In the context of entrepreneurship, a “venture” refers to a new business or startup. It typically involves a high level of risk and uncertainty, as entrepreneurs seek to bring a new product or service to the market.

  • For example, someone might say, “I’m currently working on a new venture in the technology industry.”
  • In a discussion about entrepreneurship, a participant might ask, “What are some common challenges faced by ventures in their early stages?”
  • A business consultant might advise, “Before diving into a new venture, it’s important to conduct thorough market research and develop a solid business plan.”

24. Accelerator

An “accelerator” is a support program or organization that provides resources, mentorship, and funding to early-stage startups in exchange for equity. The goal of an accelerator is to help entrepreneurs accelerate the growth of their companies and increase their chances of success.

  • For instance, someone might say, “We were accepted into a prestigious accelerator program that will help us refine our business model.”
  • In a discussion about startup ecosystems, a participant might ask, “Are there any notable accelerators in this city?”
  • An entrepreneur who has graduated from an accelerator might share, “The program provided invaluable connections and guidance to help us scale our business.”

25. Seed Money

“Seed money” refers to the initial capital or funding that is provided to a startup or new venture to help it get off the ground. It is typically used to cover early expenses such as product development, market research, and hiring key team members.

  • For example, an entrepreneur might say, “We used our seed money to build a prototype and conduct market testing.”
  • In a discussion about fundraising, someone might ask, “How much seed money should a startup aim to raise?”
  • A venture capitalist might explain, “Seed money is often provided by angel investors or early-stage venture capital firms.”

26. Pitch

A pitch is a concise and persuasive presentation of an idea, product, or business plan, usually given to potential investors or clients. It is aimed at convincing them to support or invest in the idea or venture.

  • For example, an entrepreneur might say, “I have a pitch for a revolutionary new app that will change the way people communicate.”
  • During a startup competition, a participant might present their pitch to a panel of judges and investors.
  • A business owner might hire a professional pitch consultant to help them refine their presentation and make it more compelling.
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27. Co-founder

A co-founder is one of the individuals who start a business together. They are typically involved in the initial conceptualization, planning, and execution of the business idea. Co-founders often contribute their skills, expertise, and resources to the venture.

  • For instance, in a tech startup, the co-founders might include a programmer and a business strategist.
  • A co-founder might say, “We started this company with a shared vision and a passion to make a difference.”
  • When introducing themselves, an entrepreneur might say, “I’m John, the co-founder of XYZ Company.”

28. Disruption

Disruption refers to the process of creating significant changes or upheavals in an industry or market by introducing new ideas, technologies, or business models. It often involves challenging established norms and practices and can lead to the displacement of existing businesses or the creation of entirely new markets.

  • For example, companies like Uber and Airbnb have disrupted the taxi and hotel industries, respectively.
  • A startup might aim to disrupt the healthcare industry by developing a groundbreaking medical device.
  • An entrepreneur might say, “Our goal is to disrupt the market and revolutionize how people access financial services.”