start-up

/ˈstɑrtəp/

/ˈstɑtəp/

Other forms: start-ups

A start-up is a brand new business. A typical start-up begins as a small team with a great idea working out of a home or coffee shop.

A giant, well-funded company isn't a start-up — start-ups are entrepreneurial concepts with one or two founders that typically run on a small, shoestring budget. Starting a start-up, however, means you intend to grow it and make money. Shopify, Zappos, and AirBnB all began as start-ups. Many start-ups fail, and start-ups that end up valued at a billion dollars or more are so rare that they're known as unicorns.

Definitions of start-up

1. noun

   a newly established company or business venture
   type of:

   company

   an institution created to conduct business