Should I buy a startup business and save some money upfront or spend more buying an established business? There are many factors at play that will guide your decision. Some are personal, but most are strategic. In this article, we look at the most significant pros and cons to buying a startup business or an established one. We hope this discussion will help guide some of your thinking as you ponder this important choice.
Buying a Startup Business
Pros
Lower Initial Cost
Starting from scratch usually requires less upfront capital. Low startup costs demand a smaller initial investment, making a startup business accessible to entrepreneurs with limited capital. Businesses with lower startup costs often have simpler operations and infrastructure requirements, reducing the need for extensive initial spending. Starting with lower costs decreases the financial risk associated with a new venture, making it easier to recover initial investments and adapt to market changes.
Vision
You can shape the startup business according to your vision. Ensure that your business's goals are in harmony with your personal aspirations. This alignment helps maintain your passion and commitment. Most business plans include a vision statement that answers the "why" you exist question. Giving thought to your corporate identity will help you create a more compelling product for your customer and help rally employees around a common purpose.
Fresh Branding
You have the freedom to create a unique brand identity. Clarify your startup's purpose, values, and the problem you're solving. This forms the foundation of your brand identity. Design a memorable logo, choose a distinctive color palette, and select imagery that aligns with your brand's personality and message. Use consistent typography that reflects your brand's tone. This typography should be used across all communication channels. Develop a consistent tone of voice that resonates with your target audience. Whether formal or casual, your brand's voice should remain consistent in all interactions.
Cons
Uncertain Revenue
Generating initial revenue might take time. A startup business often requires time to develop products, build their customer base, and establish a market presence before revenue starts flowing. Investments in product development, marketing, and operational costs can outpace initial revenue, leading to a delayed breakeven point. Building brand recognition and customer trust takes time, affecting the speed at which revenue is generated.
Also, a startup business often faces a learning curve in identifying their target audience, refining their value proposition, and optimizing sales strategies, all of which influence revenue generation. It takes time for startups to stabilize their operations, streamline processes, and gain a predictable revenue stream.
Risk of Failure
New businesses face a higher risk of failure. A startup business often has limited financial and human resources, making it challenging to cover operational expenses, invest in growth, and weather initial losses. Entering a competitive market without a unique value proposition can result in difficulty attracting customers and gaining market share. Insufficient business planning, including lack of market research, financial projections, and contingency plans, can leave startups ill-prepared to face challenges.
Poor cash flow management can lead to an inability to cover expenses, pay debts, and invest in growth opportunities, ultimately resulting in failure. Inflexibility in adapting to market changes, consumer preferences, and technological advancements can render a startup business irrelevant over time. The inherently high failure rate among startups creates an environment where new businesses are more likely to face challenges and setbacks.
Unproven Model
The business model is untested and might need refinement. A startup business operates in a dynamic and uncertain market environment, making it challenging to accurately predict customer preferences and demand. Developing a successful business model is an iterative process. Startups need to experiment, gather feedback, and adjust their models to align with market realities.
New businesses need to validate their assumptions about the target market, customer needs, and value proposition to ensure their business model aligns with actual demand. Business models may need refinement as startups encounter challenges, competition, and changing market dynamics, necessitating adjustments to increase competitiveness and sustainability.
Buying an Established Business
Pros
Existing Revenue
An established business has a steady revenue stream. Steady revenue provides financial stability, allowing the business to cover expenses, invest in growth, and withstand economic fluctuations. A consistent revenue stream helps in forecasting and planning, allowing better resource allocation and operational efficiency. Reliable revenue supports expansion, product development, and market penetration, driving business growth.
Diversified revenue streams reduce dependence on a single source of income, lowering business risk and increasing resilience. A consistent revenue history enhances the business's value, making it more attractive to investors and potential buyers.
Existing Customer Base
You gain an existing customer base and reputation. An existing customer base means immediate revenue from loyal customers, reducing the need for time-consuming customer acquisition. The product or service has already been tested in the market, minimizing the risk associated with unproven concepts. An established brand and reputation contribute to customer trust and loyalty, enabling faster business growth. Access to existing suppliers and established relationships simplifies the supply chain and procurement process.
Buying an existing business saves time compared to starting from scratch, allowing for quicker returns on investment. The business comes with established processes, policies, and operational knowledge, facilitating smoother business operations. Access to financial records and performance history aids in making informed business decisions and securing financing. An existing customer base provides a foundation for introducing new products or services and expanding the business.
Proven Model
The business model and strategies are already proven. The business model has been tested and demonstrated to work, reducing the risk associated with unproven ideas. A proven business model comes with existing customers, generating immediate revenue. The business likely has an established brand, contributing to customer trust and loyalty. A proven business model often includes efficient operational processes and systems, leading to smoother operations.
Banks and investors are more likely to finance a business with a proven track record and established business model. Buying an established business with a proven model can lead to quicker returns on investment compared to a startup business. The business's historical performance and financial data provide insights into its potential future performance.
Cons
High Initial Cost
Purchasing an established business can be expensive. The cost might be justified by the established customer base and revenue stream, leading to quicker returns on investment. Existing operational processes and trained employees can justify the high cost by providing operational efficiency from the start. Despite the high initial cost, it may save money on start-up costs such as inventory and marketing, compared to buying a startup business or starting a business from scratch. The cost might be justifiable due to the existing goodwill, brand reputation, and customer loyalty associated with the business. Compare the cost of buying an existing business with starting or buying a similar business to determine the overall financial advantage.
Limited Changes
Existing processes and branding might limit changes. The advantages of established branding include attracting customers and revenue, but changing it might confuse customers. Similarly, existing internal processes might provide efficiency, but altering them could disrupt operations. The decision to change these aspects depends on a careful analysis of how changes would impact the business's identity, customer relationships, and operations. It's essential to balance the benefits of established elements with the potential benefits of change, considering the overall strategic goals of the business.
Legacy Issues
There could be hidden problems or debts to resolve. Due diligence is crucial to uncover potential issues such as unpaid debts, misrepresented financial data, or undisclosed liabilities. Even with a thorough review, there's still a risk of encountering problems that were not initially apparent. Conducting comprehensive due diligence, including examining financial records, legal agreements, and business operations, helps mitigate these risks. It's advisable to involve legal and financial professionals to ensure a smooth transition and address any hidden issues before finalizing the purchase.
Each business acquisition option has its merits and challenges, depending on your goals, risk tolerance, and available resources. To get started, you can search established or startup businesses for sale through the Hatchit platform.
1st photo by RDNE Stock project. 2nd photo by Photo by Canva Studio. 3rd photo by Photo by RDNE Stock project.
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links to Hatchit’s broker-partner sites. If you choose to buy or sell a business through a brokerage site we link you to, Hatchit may receive a referral fee at no additional cost to you. Thank you.
