English Learning Content: Startup Vocabulary
Dialogue
Alice: Hey Bob, what’s up? You look like you’re plotting something big!
Bob: Oh, hi Alice! Just thinking about my next big startup idea. I want to be a successful founder!
Alice: Oh really? Another one? Is this the “app that orders pizza for your cat” idea again?
Bob: Haha, no! This time it’s serious. It’s an app for finding lost socks. Imagine, no more single socks!
Alice: (Laughs) That’s… certainly an idea! How will it work?
Bob: Well, users upload a picture of their lonely sock. The app uses AI to match it with its missing partner. I need to build a prototype first.
Alice: Interesting. And who would invest in that? You’d need a lot of funding to make it happen.
Bob: That’s where my “pitch” comes in! I’ll tell potential investors it’s about solving a global laundry crisis. Think of the emotional toll of mismatched socks!
Alice: You always have such a unique perspective. But seriously, getting seed funding can be tough.
Bob: I know, I know. But if I can build a working prototype, I can show them it’s possible. Maybe I’ll start with just white socks. Keep it simple!
Alice: Good strategy! Small steps. So, what’s the company name for “The Sock Finder”?
Bob: I’m thinking… “Sock-It-To-Me!” Or maybe “SoleMate.” What do you think?
Alice: “SoleMate” has potential! Just make sure your startup has a clear plan, not just a catchy name.
Bob: You’re right. First, the prototype. Then, I’ll practice my pitch. Wish me luck!
Alice: Good luck, Bob! Let me know when you’re rich and can buy me a lifetime supply of matched socks!
Current Situation
The world of startups is booming! A “startup” is a young company designed to grow fast and bring innovative products or services to the market. Many people dream of becoming a “founder” and starting their own business. With new technologies appearing constantly, there are endless opportunities for new ideas, from apps to eco-friendly products. Understanding basic startup vocabulary can help you follow news, understand business trends, and even inspire your own future ventures. It’s a very exciting and fast-paced part of the global economy.
Key Phrases
- Startup idea: A concept for a new company that aims to solve a problem or offer a new product/service.
- Example: My friend has a great startup idea for an online language exchange platform.
- Founder: The person who starts a company.
- Example: The founder of that famous tech company is very young.
- Idea: A thought or suggestion for a possible course of action.
- Example: I have an idea for a new game.
- Prototype: An early model of a product or concept built to test a design or process.
- Example: They built a simple prototype of the app to show to potential users.
- Invest: To put money into a company with the expectation of getting a profit.
- Example: Many people want to invest in successful new businesses.
- Investor: A person or organization that puts money into a company.
- Example: We need to find an investor to help fund our project.
- Funding: Money provided, especially by an organization or government, for a particular purpose.
- Example: The company received a lot of funding to develop its new product.
- Pitch: A presentation to potential investors or clients, often for a startup idea.
- Example: She prepared her best pitch to convince the judges.
- Seed funding: The earliest stage of investment for a startup, usually a small amount to get started.
- Example: Their first round of seed funding helped them hire two new employees.
Grammar Points
1. Simple Present Tense for Routines and Facts
We use the simple present tense to talk about habits, routines, general truths, and facts.
- Subject + Verb (base form or -s/-es for he/she/it)
Examples from dialogue:
- “You look like you’re plotting something big!” (a current observation, a fact)
- “How will it work?” (asking about a general process)
- “The app uses AI…” (a fact about the app)
- “You always have such a unique perspective.” (a habit/characteristic of Alice)
Remember: For he/she/it, we add -s or -es to the verb (e.g., he walks, she likes, it goes). For I/you/we/they, the verb stays in its base form (e.g., I walk, you like, we go).
2. Modals for Possibility and Need: “Can” and “Need To”
Can: Used to express ability or possibility.
- Subject + can + base verb
Examples from dialogue:
- “Who would invest in that? You’d need a lot of funding to make it happen.” (the possibility of it happening)
- “If I can build a working prototype…” (the ability to build it)
- “Let me know when you’re rich and can buy me a lifetime supply…” (the ability to buy)
Need to: Used to express necessity or obligation.
- Subject + need to + base verb
Example from dialogue:
- “I need to build a prototype first.” (It is necessary to build it)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the best word from the box to complete each sentence.
(founder, prototype, pitch, funding, startup)
2. To get money for our project, we need to prepare a good _______________ for investors.
3. She is the brilliant _______________ behind the new successful online store.
4. We built a small _______________ of the robot to test its functions.
5. The company needs more _______________ to hire new staff and expand.
Answers for Exercise 1:
1. startup
2. pitch
3. founder
4. prototype
5. funding
Exercise 2: Simple Present Tense
Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in parentheses.
2. My friend _______________ (want) to start a new business.
3. We _______________ (work) on a new project every day.
4. The app _______________ (help) people find good restaurants.
5. I _______________ (think) this startup will be very successful.
Answers for Exercise 2:
1. has
2. wants
3. work
4. helps
5. think
Exercise 3: Match the Phrase to its Meaning
Match the startup vocabulary on the left with its definition on the right.
2. Founder b. An early version of a product.
3. Prototype c. A concept for a new business.
4. Investor d. The person who starts a company.
5. Funding e. Someone who puts money into a company.
Answers for Exercise 3:
1. c
2. d
3. b
4. e
5. a
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