The Complete Startup Launch System

1. Business Startup Hacks -- The SGI eBook

SGI's flagship startup guide -- a collection of practical shortcuts and strategic advice for launching a business faster and smarter. Five core "hacks" covering: Mindset (the 5-to-9 strategy for building while employed), Market Research (how to validate cheaply before committing), Planning (the One-Page Plan that replaces weeks of overthinking), Money (the launch-lean approach to financial discipline), and Marketing (how to get your first 10 customers). The underlying philosophy: focus on smart, strategic action rather than perfectionism. Businesses that succeed move fast, validate cheaply, and focus on revenue.

2. The 90-Day Startup Launch Checklist

A structured, sequential 90-day plan for founders who are ready to launch. Divided into three phases. Phase 1 -- Foundation (Days 1-30): Legal formation and registration, financial infrastructure setup, operational basics. Phase 2 -- Launch (Days 31-60): First customer pursuit, establishment of content and marketing habits, and systems for handling enquiries. Phase 3 -- Momentum (Days 61-90): Process systematisation, performance review, Q2 planning. Each item is sequenced deliberately -- the order matters as much as the items themselves. Imperfect action beats perfect procrastination.

3. Business Idea Validation Checklist

A 25-point checklist for assessing the commercial viability and risk of a business idea before committing time or money to it. Covers four critical dimensions: Market Validation (8 questions -- is there real, measurable demand?), Competition Check (5 questions -- who else is doing this and can you differentiate?), Financial Viability (6 questions -- do the unit economics work?), and Founder Fit (6 questions -- are you the right person to build this?). SGI guidance: If you score under 15, pause and address the gaps before proceeding. The market does not respond to passion -- it responds to real demand.

4. Market Research Template

A methodical template for conducting the market research that most business failures skip. Covers Business and Research Overview, Target Market Definition, Market Size calculation (TAM, SAM, and SOM with formulas), Customer Research structure (interview questions and synthesis format), and Competitor Analysis. Includes guidance on completing it in two to three hours and revisiting it quarterly. Most business failures are research failures, not execution failures -- this template addresses that directly.

5. Competitor Analysis Framework

A seven-step systematic framework for deep analysis of up to five competitors. Covers: Competitor Overview, Product and Service Comparison, Pricing Analysis, Marketing and Positioning assessment, Reputation and Review analysis, Competitive Gap Analysis, and Your Differentiator Statement. SGI guidance: Do not confuse competitor awareness with competitor understanding. A structured analysis reveals the specific market gap you can own. Revisit every six months.

6. Startup Cost Estimator

A financial calculator for establishing exactly what your startup will cost to launch and operate. Covers One-Off Startup Costs (legal formation, branding, equipment, website, and deposit costs) and Monthly Recurring Costs (salaries, subscriptions, rent, insurance, and marketing). Includes a Runway Calculator that shows how long your capital will last at your projected burn rate, plus a Financial Summary combining both views. SGI guidance: founders consistently underestimate startup costs by 30-50%. If your cash runway is under six months post-launch, you need to either cut costs or raise funding before you start.

7. UK Startup and SME Technology Tools Guide 2025

A practical guide to the essential software stack for UK founders. Covers Marketing Tools (website platforms, landing page builders, and email marketing software), Finance and Operations (HMRC-compliant MTD accounting software, CRM systems, and project management tools), and Payment Processing (Stripe, PayPal, and UK-specific payment considerations). SGI guidance: prioritise HMRC-recognised MTD-compliant accounting software from day one. Choose tools you can grow into, not just ones that are easy to start with.

8. Regulated Business Startup Checklist

A specialist checklist covering the unique legal and compliance requirements for founders launching in regulated UK sectors. Covers a Universal Foundation Checklist applicable to all businesses, plus sector-specific requirements for: Childcare (Ofsted registration, DBS, staffing ratios), Social Care (CQC registration), Financial Services (FCA authorisation), Healthcare, Food Business Operators (FSA registration, hygiene ratings), Estate Agency (HMRC AML supervision), Recruitment Agency (conduct regulations), and the Security Industry (SIA licensing). Compliance is not something to sort out after launch -- getting it wrong can mean criminal liability or the inability to trade.

9. Startup Legal and Compliance Checklist

A master checklist covering the legal and compliance requirements every UK startup must address before trading. Covers company formation and registration, the contracts required before accepting your first client, GDPR and ICO registration obligations, the insurance types required for different business models, intellectual property assignment (ensuring the company owns what it has built), and employment law basics for businesses that plan to hire. Clearly distinguishes between what must be in place before trading and what can be addressed within the first 30-90 days.