Smartsby · StartupLab

From idea to fundable, level by level.

StartupLab walks you through the actual phases of building a real business — and configures the tools as you go.

For

Founders going from idea to revenue to fundable.

You leave with

A Loan-Readiness Score, pricing page, sales pipeline, hire plan — and the workspace to run them.

What you'll learn

Seven modules across five phases: Idea → Validation → Revenue → Repeatable → Fundable. Each level ships an artifact you can use the next day.

Module 1 5 levels

Foundation

From idea to legitimate, insurable, sellable.

Module 2 5 levels

First Revenue

First paying client, then four more like them.

Module 3 5 levels

Reliable Revenue

Recurring revenue, repeatable, first contractor.

Module 4 5 levels

First Hire

Convert your first contractor to W-2 without regret.

Module 5 5 levels

Money's Story

Books a banker trusts. Loan-ready in 90 days.

Module 6 5 levels

Scale or Fold

Past one hire. Two more. Margins intact.

Module 7 5 levels

Optionality

Worth more than you cost. Sell, raise, or stay — your choice.

A level looks like this

Every level is a 15–60 minute bite. Lesson, worksheet, build artifact, then on to the next. Progress, XP, and badges tracked as you go.

Artifacts, not just lessons

Pricing page, sales pipeline, hire plan — real outputs.
Loan-Readiness Score

What banks actually look at, scored 0–100.
Cross-Lab nudges

If your foundation isn't strong enough, BuildLab kicks in at the right moment.

Sample level

3.2

Your First Offer

Stack value, write the page, set the price — earn your first repeatable sale.

60 min · Lesson + worksheet + artifact

Try a level in StartupLab

Pricing for StartupLab

StartupLab is included on every plan that includes Labs. Pick your tier.

Solo

$49/mo

StartupLab (pick this as your one Lab)

Founder

$149/mo

StartupLab + 2 more Labs

Builder

$399/mo

All Labs + 2 hrs coaching/mo

Operator+

$1,500+/mo

All Labs + 8+ hrs services/mo

Want everything? See full Suite pricing →

FAQ

I haven't started yet — is this too early?

No. Phase 1 is for people who haven't picked an idea yet. We move you through validation before you build anything.

I already have revenue — is this too late?

No. Most founders skip ahead to Phase 3 or 4. The Loan-Readiness Score will tell you exactly where to start.

Does StartupLab teach fundraising?

It teaches loan-readiness and the same metrics investors look at. Direct fundraising coaching is on Builder+ tiers.

Is the workspace included?

Yes. Every Lab plan includes the Smartsby workspace where artifacts live.

Open StartupLab