Startup Grind is the leading global startup community dedicated to fostering the growth of early-stage companies. From bootstrapped beginnings through Series A rounds, we support our members with access to funding opportunities, expanding market reach, and connection to a robust network of founders, tech leaders, investors and partners spanning 150 countries worldwide.
Brand Overview
Logo
This is our primary logo. This is the preferred version to use.
When the primary logo doesn’t fit your composition, use the stacked or stamp version.
Logo Don'ts
Don’t distort the logo.
Don’t rotate the logo.
Don’t change the logo composition.
Don’t use the whole logo in our brand color.
Don’t use other colors.
Our Vision
Our vision is simple: we want every entrepreneur – regardless of background, age, gender, location, education, or experience – to have access and opportunity to succeed. We hope to play a significant role in making this world one where anyone can become an entrepreneur and when they do, they have access to a community that will help them do so.
Core Values
We believe in making friends, not contacts.
We believe in giving first, not taking.
We believe in helping others before helping yourself.
“Ten years ago I became an entrepreneur and have never looked back.
What began as a gathering of a bunch of clueless entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley trying to learn and help each other is now the world’s largest startup community spanning 120+ countries. We’re on a mission to educate, connect, and provide access to startups as they build and scale their companies around the globe.”
Derek Andersen
Co-founder + CEO of Startup Grind
Chapters
Startup Grind local communities are called “Chapters”.
Startup Grind was founded in 2010 when our founder, Derek Andersen got some friends and fellow entrepreneurs together to crack the same problem they were all facing: the growing challenges of starting a company. What became clear was these obstacles were extensive and stretched far beyond their group. Their gatherings soon spurred a local startup movement that attracted founders and experts from every industry, coming together to share their stories and advice for early entrepreneurs. Eventually, vibrant Startup Grind communities (“chapters”) began developing in Washington D.C, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv, London, New York, Beijing, and more.
Startup Grind Chapter
Always use your chapter name in all caps
If your chapter name exceeds the logo width, please decrease the letter spacing and/or the font size
Startup Grind X
Use these versions if your chapter type is Startup Grind X
Always use purple color when using Startup Grind X brand
Startup Grind U
Use these versions if your chapter type is Startup Grind U
Always use turquoise color when using Startup Grind U brand
Color
Primary colors:
Vibrant Red
HEX: #FF2A45
RGB: RGB (255, 42, 69)
CMYK: C0% M94% Y69% K100%
Black
HEX: #262626
RGB: RGB (38, 38, 38)
CMYK: C0% M0% Y0% K95%
Light Gray
HEX: #F2F2F2
RGB: RGB (245, 245, 245)
CMYK: C0% M0% Y0% K5%
Sub-brand colors:
X Purple
HEX: #9157F0
RGB: RGB (145, 87, 240)
CMYK: C0% M0% Y0% K100%
U Turquoise
HEX: #2CD5E8
RGB: RGB (44, 213, 232)
CMYK: C60% M0% Y13% K95%
Typography
Proxima Nova
Use Proxima Nova font for all purposes
Integral CF
Use Integral CF font for bold headlines
Tone of Voice
Startup Grind’s voice is clear, confident, helpful and inclusive.
While we intend to have a more conversational, human tone, that doesn’t mean that we’re overly informal. Our tone will vary depending on the audience, the context and the information we need to get across.
Our voice is…
Warm and Human
Informative and Relatable
Open and Inviting
Intelligent and Considerate
Our voice isn’t…
Cold or Formal
Uninformed or Cliche
Exclusive or Elite
Full of tech jargon
We use American English at HQ
It all started in Silicon Valley, and we’re proud of our roots. So, whenever we speak in the voice of our overall brand (think global campaigns, conferences, partner communications), we use American spelling.
We use local spelling on local channels
At the chapter level, we use what the locals use. For example, the Facebook page of a chapter in Ontario uses Canadian spelling.
Our name is Startup Grind
We’ve seen it all, every variation imaginable of our name. In any application, our name should be two words, each capitalized at the beginning. Never Start Up Grind, StartUp Grind or Start-up Grind or SUG.
Word Fatigue
We try to be specific and real with our language when we’re communicating the benefit of what we do. Calling an event “our biggest” sounds like cheesy marketing speak (especially if we don’t provide any context for comparison) and may not hold true. Avoid words like biggest, best, fastest, epic, incredible, or unique.
*Punctuation Fatigue We use exclamation points only when they’re truly needed. As a rule of thumb – there should never be more than one within the same paragraph or post.
Attention to Detail
We’re detail-oriented and use a second set of eyes on our communications, especially the names or social media accounts of speakers, their companies, or our partners are included.
Inclusivity
It should go without saying, but it’s still worth stating: We never use exclusionary terms, cultural appropriation, ableist or misgendering language, or anything that could be interpreted as a slur. We don’t walk the line of anything that could be offensive, inflammatory or exclusionary.
These rules help us produce copy we’re proud of – but we’re not perfect 100% of the time. If you notice language that does not align with Startup Grind’s brand voice, please let us know so that we can learn and grow together.