Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Startup Readiness Score.
Getting Started
Frequently Asked Question
How long does the assessment take?
Most founders finish in about 20 minutes. The assessment is 33 questions across the six pillars.
Do I need an LLC, product, or traction to take this?
No. The assessment adapts to your stage. It works for founders from idea validation through early operating businesses. You do not need a legal entity, a built product, or revenue to get a useful read.
Is the Startup Readiness Score really free?
Yes. You can take the Startup Readiness Score up to two times at no cost. No credit card required. After that, a PRO subscription continues your access.
Do I need to create an account?
Yes. A free account, created by signing in with Google, saves your results and lets you return to them later.
Can I take the assessment anonymously?
No. An account keeps your results attached to you and prevents abuse. Your individual results stay private and are never shared publicly.
Understanding Your Results
Frequently Asked Question
What do the score ranges mean?
The overall Startup Readiness Score runs from 0 to 150. A score of 0 to 50 means significant foundational gaps: build clarity before any major commitment. 50 to 100 means some foundations hold while critical gaps remain: address the weakest pillars before scaling effort. 100 to 150 means a strong foundation with clarity across most pillars. Each pillar scores from 0 to 25. A pillar at 0 to 10 is a critical gap that needs immediate attention. 10 to 18 means some clarity exists but gaps remain. 18 to 25 is a strong pillar that supports forward movement.
Will the Startup Readiness Score tell me if my startup will succeed?
No. The assessment reads readiness. It does not predict success. It shows whether your foundation is strong enough to advance, not whether the idea will win in the market.
Will this tell me if my idea is good?
No. It reads whether you hold the clarity and evidence to make informed decisions about the idea. Whether an idea is good depends on execution, market conditions, and factors the assessment does not predict.
How is the scoring calculated?
Each answer is scored on evidence of clarity and validation. The rubric rewards concrete evidence over assumption, customer language over founder jargon, and specific observation over vague generalization.
What if I disagree with my score?
The score reflects what you told the assessment. A low score often points to gaps in your current evidence, not limits on your potential. Read it as a signal for where to gather more evidence, not as a verdict.
Can I see examples of what "strong" looks like for each pillar?Can I see examples of what "strong" looks like for each pillar?
Yes. The 6 Pillars page breaks down what strong and weak look like for each pillar, with examples.
The Worksheets and Development
Frequently Asked Question
What are the worksheets?
The worksheets are the development half of the platform. Startup.Ready. is an assessment and development system: the score names where your foundation is weak, and the worksheets are the structured work that closes the gap. Each worksheet is a focused tool that walks you through one specific clarity gap inside one pillar. The library holds 81 worksheets as of May 2026, covering all six pillars.
How does the assessment decide which worksheets I get?
Your results route you to the worksheets built for your weakest foundations. Your top three recommended actions each link to a specific worksheet tied to the gap behind that action. You work them on your own timeline.
What do the worksheets produce?
An artifact you keep. Depending on the worksheet, that might be a problem description with no abstract words, a 12-month success definition, or a validated acquisition system. You do the work and leave with the output, not just a reading list.
Do I get all 81 worksheets?
The free tier surfaces your top three recommended worksheets. a Startup.Ready. PRO subscription opens the full 81-worksheet library and worksheet recommendations across every pillar.
Taking the Assessment
Frequently Asked Question
What types of questions are asked?
A mix. Self-assessment scales (1 to 5 ratings on clarity, validation, and confidence), multiple choice and checkboxes, and short-answer questions where you describe your problem, market, and customer path in your own words.
Can I save my progress and come back later?
Yes. Your answers save each time you click Save and Continue, and you can return to your assessment from the dashboard at any time.
Can I skip questions?
No. Every question has to be answered to generate your score. If you are unsure, answer as honestly as you can based on what you know right now.
What if I haven't talked to customers yet?
Answer honestly. If you have not validated something, say so. The assessment is built to surface gaps. That is the point. Knowing what you have not tested is more useful than guessing.
Can I change my answers after submitting?
No. Once submitted, your answers lock for that assessment. You can retake the assessment to update them as your startup evolves, up to twice for free or eight times a month with Startup.Ready. PRO.
Retaking the Assessment
Frequently Asked Question
When should I retake the assessment?
Retake it once you have closed gaps and want to measure movement. Most founders retake every one to three weeks, after customer interviews, after clarifying their market or business model, or before a milestone like an accelerator application or a funding conversation.
How many times can I retake it for free?
Up to two times total, not per month. After that, sign up to Startup.Ready. PRO to continue your access and track your progress over time.
Will my previous scores be saved?
Yes. Every score stays in your account. Startup.Ready. PRO lets you view historical scores and track progress over time.
Can I compare my scores over time?
Yes, with Startup.Ready. PRO. The progress tracking dashboard shows how your scores move across retakes, so you can see which pillars are improving.
Sharing Your Results
Frequently Asked Question
Can I share my results with advisors, mentors, or co-founders?
Yes. Many founders use their results to make advisor conversations more precise and evidence-based. Share your score summary or full breakdown however you like.
Can I download or print my results?
Yes. You can download a PDF of your scores. More export options for Basic and PRO subscribers are in development.
Will my results be shared publicly or with third parties?
No. Your individual results stay private. Startup.Ready. may publish aggregate, anonymized insights, for example the share of founders who score low on go-to-market clarity, but never individual answers, scores, or identities.
If I'm part of an accelerator, will they see my results?
Only if you were invited through an institutional program, such as an accelerator or university. In that case your results may be shared with that program, and you will be told at sign-up.
Pricing & Subscriptions
Frequently Asked Question
What's included in the free tier?
Two assessments (total, not per month), your overall Startup Readiness Score (0 to 150), your six pillar breakdown (0 to 25 each), a diagnostic summary, and your top three recommended worksheets.
What's included in Startup.Ready. PRO?
Everything in the free tier, plus eight assessments per month, the full 81-worksheet library, worksheet recommendations across every pillar, a progress tracking dashboard, and historical score comparison.
How much does PRO cost?
$14.99 per month, or $149 per year (about two months free).
Can I switch from monthly to annual?
Yes. Switch to the annual plan anytime from your account settings.
What payment methods do you accept?
Startup.Ready. accepts all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover) through Stripe, the secure payment processor. Card numbers are never stored.
Can I cancel my subscription anytime?
Yes. Cancel anytime from the customer portal. Startup.Ready. PRO features stay active until the end of your current billing period.
Do you offer refunds?
Refunds are not offered for partial subscription periods. You can cancel anytime to avoid future charges.
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
PRO features stay active until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account returns to the free tier, with no additional assessments unless you resubscribe.
What happens if I use all eight assessments in a month?
Your assessment count resets at the start of each billing cycle. If you need more before then, contact Startup.Ready. about options.
Do unused assessments roll over to the next month?
No. Your eight assessments reset each month. Most founders retake every one to three weeks, so eight a month leaves room to spare.
Do you offer discounts for students or nonprofits?
Not as a standing policy yet, but the door is open. Email shaun@probusinessplanning.com with your situation.
Account & Data
Frequently Asked Question
How do I update my email or account information?
Your email is tied to your Google account. To change it, sign in with a different Google account. Email shaun@probusinessplanning.com for help moving your data to a new account.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest. Startup.Ready. uses Google OAuth for authentication and never sees or stores your Google password. See the Privacy Policy for details.
What data do you collect?
Account information (your name and email from Google), your assessment responses and scores, usage data (pages visited, features used), and payment information (handled securely through Stripe; card numbers are not stored).
Do you sell my data?
No. Personal data is never sold. Startup.Ready. may publish aggregate, anonymized insights for research or marketing, but your answers, scores, and ideas are never sold or shared with third parties.
About the Assessment
Frequently Asked Question
Who created the Startup Readiness Assessment?
Dr. Shaun P. Digan. PhD in Entrepreneurship from the University of Louisville, author of Persuade (Wiley, 2021), and creator of the Startup Readiness Framework, built on 15+ years working with 500+ early-stage founders.
What is the Startup Readiness Framework based on?
Academic research on startup failure and founder decision-making, 15+ years of direct coaching, and pattern recognition across hundreds of founding teams. It synthesizes established methods including Lean Startup, Jobs to Be Done, and Crossing the Chasm. The Startup Readiness Framework page goes deeper
Is the Startup Readiness Score "AI advice"?
No. The score is a diagnostic output built on structured inputs and research-backed rubrics. It reasons alongside you and hands the decision back. The aim is clarity, not a verdict.
Does this replace talking to customers or advisors?
No. The assessment shows you where the gaps are. It does not replace customer validation, market research, or working with advisors. It tells you where to point that work first.
How often is the assessment updated?
The questions and scoring rubrics are refined as user feedback and new research come in. Major updates are announced by email and in the app.
Published: April 10, 2026
Last updated: August 8, 2026
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