What do you do if you want to thoroughly research a startup before an interview?

Discover the story beneath the surface — Do your homework and grasp the basics like the startup's product(s), their market impact and funding history. But I’d advise to go beyond. Diving deeper into the company's narrative reveals much more. Explore beyond the surface by understanding the inception, the evolution, and the (potential) struggles the startup has faced. This not only provides additional context to their products and achievements and much more: opportunities to connect deeply with the founders and leaders.

Study the Company’s Website: Start with the startup's official website. Pay close attention to the "About Us" section, the mission statement, product/services page, and any press releases or blog posts. This will give you a foundational understanding of what the company does, its goals, and recent achievements or developments. Review Their Social Media Presence: Check the startup's social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) to gauge their brand voice, marketing strategies, and how they engage with customers. You can also see recent updates, company news, and community involvement. Use LinkedIn: LinkedIn can be particularly useful.

Recent achievements — Look for their latest news and achievements. This will show your interest in their current state and future prospects. It will also give you ice-breakers for your discussion to come. Whether it’s a new product launch, a funding round, or a newsworthy hire, being knowledgeable about their recent activities demonstrates a genuine interest and ... preparedness. It might also give you clues of areas where your experience could help them make a further difference.

A Crucial Ratio — When evaluating a startup, I focus on how they manage their burn rate. I have a marked preference for money-conscious entrepreneurs who bootstrap their operations. Maintaining a low burn rate isn't just good practice, it's essential for survival. At the risk of stating the obvious, it is the denominator in the crucial probability of success, where the numerator is the number of months you estimate it will take to achieve the startup’s objectives.

To thoroughly research a startup before an interview, explore their website, review press releases, and analyze their social media presence and industry articles to understand their company culture. When researching Array Insights, I looked up information about the cofounders, reviewed their website and asked questions about company culture during the introduction call.

As well as researching the company you always need to know yourself as well. Be clear on what you're great at, what skills and experiences you want to develop, what type of manager you want, and what type of culture you work well in. You can do all of the research that you want on the company, but if you don't know yourself well and what is important to you, you can't evaluate the startup effectively.

Check Their Website: Understand their mission, products, team, and culture. Use Social Media: Follow their social profiles for recent news and updates. Read News Articles: Look for any press releases or media coverage. Analyze Market Position: Assess their standing in the industry compared to competitors. Review Financial Health: If available, check financial reports or funding information. Study Customer Feedback: Read reviews and testimonials to gauge reputation. Network: Connect with current or past employees to gain insider insights.