With a start up how do you legitimise?
What makes this concept real? how can we communicate that? how do we convince people that in all likelihood we will never meet but conduct business with?
Quotes, press releases, buzz, real physical address, photos via flickr, blogging, techcrunch mention..
All different routes.
How about a standard, a brand, voted for by the industry, like the Intel Inside brand.
A brand that reinforces legitimacy and rewards action.
Certain actions provide points, and start ups are only admitted once they have met criteria set by the community.
A brand that says we are a real business and are here for the long haul.
Now I’ll be the first to say, this isn’t for everyone, and if you are facing legimacy problems maybe there’s something bigger wrong.
However there is a real market need.
I don’t think this is quite the answer, but it’s less wrong than no answer…..