acting as a startup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "acting as a startup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person or organization that is functioning in the manner of a startup, typically characterized by innovation, agility, and a focus on growth. Example: "The company is acting as a startup, embracing new technologies and agile methodologies to stay competitive in the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"At the time, the company was growing but still acting as a startup," said Heins.

TechCrunch

He is also the co-founder of Aternity, has led investments in successful startups like Any.do, JoyTunes and Commerce Sciences and helped manage and lead "TheJunction," a program created by Genesis to support early-stage entrepreneurs by offering co-working space and acting as a startup accelerator and alumni organization, a la 500 Startups.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since its founding in 2011, Practice Fusion founder and CEO Ryan Howard has been acting as a mentor to the startup, working closely with 100Plus founder Chris Hogg as a strategic advisor.

TechCrunch

And the fact it's in London signals the fact that the ecosystem there is growing at a clip, and is rapidly acting as a hub for international startups.

TechCrunch

A neutral startup acting as a third-party aggregator of financial products has a better chance of building that all-embracing solution.

TechCrunch

With its Indiegogo campaign acting as a proof of concept, the startup is currently in the process of raising what McGuire tells us will be a $4 million series A round.

TechCrunch

First Data, meanwhile, has been mainly swimming in its own lane, acting as a consolidator of interesting fintech startups like Clover, Perka, Gyft, Blue Pay, Spree and more.

TechCrunch

All of the startups are enterprise or B2B focused and ESRI has gone so far to open up an app store to help distribute the applications to its own customers, effectively acting as a marketing engine for these startups.

TechCrunch

With Nimbl acting as a "Uber for ATMs" and several other new startup banking services, this dream seems much less far-fetched than it did just a year or two ago.

TechCrunch

Tara Kirchner, former Head of Marketing at Flickr, is joining, while Ligaya Tichy will be acting as an advisor to the startup.

TechCrunch

His company is already acting as a broker between Chinese companies and foreign technology startups.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acting as a startup" to emphasize a company's adoption of agile, innovative, and growth-focused methodologies, particularly when it's a larger entity trying to recapture its early-stage spirit.

Common error

Avoid using "acting as a startup" when simply referring to a newly founded company. The phrase implies a deliberate effort to emulate startup culture, which isn't always the case for actual startups.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acting as a startup" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating the manner in which an entity (often a company or organization) is operating. It implies an intentional effort to emulate the characteristics and behaviors typical of a startup, such as agility and innovation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "acting as a startup" is a grammatically correct way to describe an established entity deliberately adopting the culture, mindset, and practices of a startup. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's more suited for describing intentional emulation than simply referring to a new company. Common in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it's a way to signal agility and innovation. Related phrases like "operating like a startup" or "functioning as a startup" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Using it effectively requires understanding the context and implying a deliberate shift towards startup-like methodologies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

operating like a startup

This alternative replaces "acting" with "operating", emphasizing the manner in which a company functions.

functioning as a startup

This alternative replaces "acting" with "functioning", highlighting the role or purpose the entity serves.

behaving as a startup

This emphasizes the conduct or demeanor resembling that of a startup.

emulating a startup

This phrase suggests imitation of startup attributes and practices.

mimicking startup strategies

Focuses specifically on the imitation of strategic approaches used by startups.

adopting a startup mentality

Highlights the shift in mindset to mirror that of a startup.

taking on the characteristics of a startup

This alternative stresses the process of acquiring startup-like features.

following startup practices

Emphasizes adherence to the common or best practices used in startups.

positioning itself as a startup

Indicates an attempt to present or brand oneself as a startup.

working in the style of a startup

Focuses on the operational methodology, highlighting the way tasks are approached.

FAQs

What does it mean for a company to be "acting as a startup"?

When a company is described as "acting as a startup", it typically means it's adopting the innovative, agile, and risk-taking approaches commonly associated with new ventures, even if the company itself is already established.

Can I use "acting like a startup" instead of "acting as a startup"?

While both phrases are understandable, "acting as a startup" is generally more formal and suggests a more deliberate and structured approach to emulating startup characteristics. "Acting like a startup" can imply a more casual or superficial imitation.

What are some synonyms for "acting as a startup"?

Alternatives include "operating like a startup", "functioning as a startup", or "emulating a startup", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say a startup is "acting as a startup"?

It's redundant to say a startup is "acting as a startup", because it already is one. This phrase is better suited for established companies trying to recapture or adopt startup traits.