创业维艰，绝大多数初创企业都可能会半路夭折。最好的办法就是在创业伊始，找对方向，找对合作伙伴，找对人脉，构建起良好的关系网络。从投资人角度出发，我们更愿意在初创阶段，就与那些极具潜力的创业者相识。

今日所见之科技巨头，也许正是不日之前，一两个人脑海中的想法。我们接触过众多的初创公司，并总结了如下那些能够经受市场磨砺，有机会成长为业界参天大树的标杆企业的特征：

目标清晰 在一张名片背后就能讲清公司业务。 Clarity of purpose : Summarize the company’s business on the back of a business card.

__ 市场庞大__ 服务于即将迎来快速增长或变革的市场。一个拥有10亿美元潜在规模的市场会容许创业者不断试错，直到获得真正的利润。 Large markets : Address existing markets poised for rapid growth or change. A market on the path to a $1B potential allows for error and time for real margins to develop.

优质客户 针对愿意为独特产品支付溢价且能迅速决策的客户。 Rich customers : Target customers who will move fast and pay a premium for a unique offering.

专注专一 用户只会为具有单一价值主张的简单产品付费。 Focus : Customers will only buy a simple product with a singular value proposition.

对症止痛 找到客户的切肤之痛，用令人信服的解决方案去取悦客户。 Pain killers : Pick the one thing that is of burning importance to the customer, then delight them with a compelling solution.

不同凡想 不断挑战思维定势，不走寻常路，创新解决方案，在竞争中智取对手。 Think differently : Constantly challenge conventional wisdom. Take the contrarian route. Create novel solutions. Outwit the competition.

团队DNA 一家公司的DNA形成于公司创立的最初90天内。明智选择你的早期员工。 Team DNA : A company’s DNA is set in the first 90 days. Choose your first few hires wisely.

灵活敏捷 低调和快速能击败缓慢的行业巨头。 Agility : Stealth and speed can beat slow incumbents.

反弹能力 磨练公司跌倒反弹并不断尝试的能力。 Resilience : Hone your ability to bounce back and keep trying.

极致节俭 聚焦投入，只在那些至关重要、具有优先地位的事上花钱，并竭力让收益最大化。 Frugality : Focus spending on what’s critical. Spend only on the priorities and maximize profitability.

星火燃原 只用很少的钱启动。这迫使你自律和专注。点燃客户渴求伟大产品的巨大市场只需要很少的火药。 Inferno : Start with only a little money. It forces discipline and focus. A huge market with customers yearning for a product developed by great engineers requires very little firepower.