The Questionnaire Every Early-Stage Startup Founder Should Be Ready to Answer – Even Before Meeting a CMO as a Service

Many early-stage founders launch with a great idea — but when they sit down with a marketing consultant, investor, or even a potential partner, they struggle to answer fundamental questions that determine the future of their startup.

To help you assess your current position and build a smart marketing foundation from the POC stage, I’ve compiled the key questions every early-stage founder should be able to answer — especially if you're considering bringing a CMO as a Service on board.

The Questionnaire Every Early-Stage Startup Founder Should Be Ready to Answer

Part A – Understanding the Product

• What is the core solution you're offering, and what problem does it solve?

• Who is your ideal customer? (The more specific, the better)

• What differentiates you from alternatives in the market?

• What stage is your product at? (Idea, MVP, POC, pilots)

Part B – Structure & Team

• Is the company already legally registered?

• Who are the founding team members and what are their roles?

• Do you currently have any employees or active freelancers?

Part C – Funding & Investment

• How is the product development stage being funded? (Bootstrapped / Angels / Grants)

• Have you raised any capital yet? (F&F / Pre-Seed)

• Are you part of any support framework like an accelerator or incubator?

Part D – Growth Plans

• What are your key goals for the next 3–6 months?

• What will you need to demonstrate to progress? (Traction, KPIs)

• What resources are you currently missing? (Marketing, funding, talent)

Part E – Business Model Within the POC

• Have you already defined a pricing strategy?

• Is there a plan to test willingness to pay (WTP)?

• What KPIs should be measured during the pilot? (Usage, conversion, churn, etc.)
  

CMO as a Service

Part F – Marketing & Existing Assets

• Do you already have marketing assets? (Website, landing page, video)

• Have you tested actual audiences? What data do you have on them?

• Do you have a clear marketing message, or are you still refining it?
  

Part G – Readiness for the Next Step

• What would success look like for you in the next month?

• What initiatives would you like to prioritize first?

• What are you looking for in working with an external marketing consultant?
  

In Summary – Why This Matters

Just like every product needs an MVP, your marketing needs a clear foundation: a defined target audience, a strong value proposition, and measurable metrics.If you can't confidently answer these questions — that’s your sign to pause, think strategically, and set a smarter path forward.

Ready to See Where You Stand?

I invite you to a focused strategy session tailored for early-stage founders — where we’ll build a clear marketing foundation, sharpen your message, and map out your first impactful moves.

This session is part of my CMO as a Service offering — external marketing leadership that combines strategic thinking with hands-on execution, without adding complexity to your team.

[Book a session with Maydan >>]