startup

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "startup" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a business or venture that has just been established, or that is beginning its activities. For example, "My friend has just started a tech startup focusing on artificial intelligence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Narula is the son of billionaire Indian construction magnate Harpinder Singh Narula, and his startup employs 50 people recruited from Google, Facebook, Goldman Sachs and games studios Lionhead and Ubisoft.

The Guardian - Tech

He is an advocate of open data science and an adviser to a London-based startup, CitizenMe, that aims to allow users to reclaim their digital soul.

The Guardian

Some might instead think it's a startup that aims to undermine Samsung, previously the sales leader in China, by offering phones with the same specifications as the South Korean giant, but at lower prices.

The Guardian - Tech

The AMPION bus travels around the continent, picking up aspiring entrepreneurs to work with international startup and early-stage investment experts on the bus.

The Guardian - Tech

The free iPhone app was developed by a startup, also called Periscope, which was acquired by Twitter in January.

The Guardian - Tech

Then comes the glorious denouement, where our startup hero goes to the stock market and cashes in big.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a joint project with Cambridge based startup Neul, BT is building 15 base stations across Milton Keynes which will be connected to the internet and be able to pick up signals from sensors in thousands of objects.

The Guardian - Tech

Like young radicals across Europe and the US, they have been schooled in the ways of the modern middle classes: launching startup businesses, working two or three casual jobs; entrepreneurship, loose living and wild partying are the default way of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pierre Laurent, a former Microsoft and Intel marketing manager, is currently working on a Silicon Valley startup.

The Guardian - Tech

Andreessen Horowitz, the US venture capital firm that backed Facebook and Twitter, has invested $20m £13mm) in a startup creating virtual reality from London's "silicon roundabout" area.

The Guardian - Tech

"We're making decisions based on this direction: it's one of our navigational beacons," says Libin. "One of the nice things about having the 100-year startup as one of those beacons is it gives us the conceptual freedom to be like: 'We've got 98 more years, so what could we do in maybe 50 years from now?'".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "startup", specify its industry or focus area to provide context and relevance for your audience. For example, instead of just saying "startup", consider saying "tech startup" or "fintech startup".

Common error

Avoid using the term "startup" too broadly. Not all new businesses are startups; a "startup" typically implies a company with high growth potential, often in technology. A local bakery, for instance, is more accurately described as a small business.

Linguistic Context

The noun "startup" functions as a descriptor for a company designed for rapid growth, or the act of starting a new process or machine. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in describing new organizations or business ventures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "startup" is a widely used and grammatically correct noun, primarily functioning to describe a company designed for rapid growth or the act of initiating a process. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage across diverse contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and technology domains underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse. As Ludwig's examples show, understanding the term's specific connotations—emphasizing innovation and growth potential—is crucial for effective communication. When writing about "startup" companies, it is important to provide context to the area they are innovating in. Alternatives like "new venture" or "emerging company" offer similar meanings, but "startup" often carries specific connotations related to technology and scalability. Therefore, using specific descriptions helps prevent overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

new venture

Focuses on the aspect of a new project or undertaking, often implying risk and potential.

emerging company

Highlights the growth and potential of a new company in the market.

newly established business

Emphasizes the recent creation and setup of a business.

early-stage company

Highlights that the company is in its beginning phases of development.

seed-stage business

Indicates the initial funding phase of a new business.

nascent enterprise

A more formal term for a new and developing business venture.

infant firm

Emphasizes the young and undeveloped state of a business.

launching company

Focuses on the action of initiating a new business.

fledgling business

Implies a new business that is just learning to stand on its own.

incubator project

Refers to a project within a supportive environment designed for new businesses.

FAQs

How can I use "startup" in a sentence?

You can use "startup" to describe a new company, as in "She joined a tech startup after graduating", or to refer to the act of starting a company, as in "The government supports startup initiatives".

What's a good alternative to the word "startup"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "new venture", "emerging company", or "newly established business".

Is it correct to use "startup" as an adjective?

Yes, "startup" can be used as an adjective, such as in "startup culture" or "startup costs". It's common to modify other nouns to describe aspects related to new, high-growth companies.

What distinguishes a "startup" from a small business?

A "startup" typically aims for rapid growth and scalability, often leveraging technology, whereas a small business may focus on steady, local operations. A "startup" is built to scale, while a small business is often built to sustain.