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I hear the words "tech startup" thrown around a lot when talking about various sorts of online businesses, apps, social networks, etc.

I know this question seems vague but I really haven't been able to find an answer on what a tech startup actually is.

For example, would a simple online business directory utilizing old "boring" technology actually be considered a tech startup, or is that phrase reserved for something with more complicated proprietary technology like facebook?

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There is broadbase disagreement on this board on the actual definition of a start-up, and whether this community-board is intentionally or unintentionally focused on "tech-start-up" This is a great question for the "meta" site where issues about the board are discussed. Since there is no (that I can see) signficance to the label within the scope of the board -- I am voting to close the question here. I would love to see it migrated to "meta" – Joseph Barisonzi Jan 5 '12 at 18:14

closed as off topic by Krzysztof Kowalczyk, TimJ♦, NetTecture, Joseph Barisonzi, Kekito Jan 6 '12 at 14:24

Questions on Answers OnStartups are expected to relate to startups within the scope defined in the FAQ. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about closed questions here.

2 Answers

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For example, would a simple online business directory utilizing old "boring" technology actually be considered a tech startup, or is that phrase reserved for something with more complicated proprietary technology like facebook?

A) Does it matter?

B) It might or might not be considered a "Tech Startup", but it most likely would not be considered "hot".

I'm not sure if you are asking about simple nomenclature, or about the aspect of tech startups being sexy, talked about, etc.

It's almost irrelevant if it is a tech startup. If you're doing cool things that change the world, you'll get coverage and enthusiasm and so forth. If you're writing your own compiler and running a site on a webserver you hand-soldered from discrete transistors, but your service is providing the latest manure-futures prices for middle Idaho, you're unlikely to draw much attention.

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+1 "It's almost irrelevant" – Joseph Barisonzi Jan 5 '12 at 18:10
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would a simple online business directory utilizing old "boring" technology actually be considered a tech startup

How can it as it is neither tech nor startup?

To be Tech it has to work with modern technology / do some interesting new stuff / work somewhere on the edge. I would mostly not consider another social network a tech startup at this point lacking innovation.

To be a startup it has to be a startup - something that plans and will expand heavily with outside funding. Not every new business is a startup ;) My own IT business is not - it churns along, self funded, tries new things here and there with the profit, but I am totally not waiting for some outside money to "hit it big". = no startup.

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Outside funding is a common, but not required, detail of a traditional tech startup. – Brian Karas Jan 5 '12 at 17:36
No, not necesasarily. SEEKING outside funding is - but there are a great many "pre funding" startups. – NetTecture Jan 5 '12 at 17:47
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I am confused -- why do you believe that seeking outside funding a requirement for a tech startup? Start-up is a business stage, not a strategy. Funding and capitalization choices are strategic choices -- aren't they? – Joseph Barisonzi Jan 5 '12 at 18:12
No, just that there are many early startups that not yet have business and bootstrap. – NetTecture Jan 5 '12 at 18:34

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