Avoid fake KPIs and Metrics in your startup

I keep seeing the same fake traction everywhere. Been reviewing 100+ early startup pitch decks last week.

While you waste time on: • Building social media presence • Getting into startup programs • Winning pitch competitions • Chasing TechCrunch features • Applying for "30 Under 30"

Your competitors are: • Talking to customers • Fixing real problems • Building better products • Growing real revenue • Improving unit economics

The Fake Traction Checklist:

The Social Proof Trap: • Startup awards (pure ego) • Conference talks (zero sales) • Accelerator badges (from 2 years ago) • Press features (no customers) • LinkedIn followers (that never convert)
The Partner Badge Trap: • "Selected for" [Big Tech] program • Featured in their newsletter • Access to standard API • Template email intros • Basic cloud credits = Zero real business value
The Celebrity Angel Trap: • Free shares for future promotion • Zero cash invested • One promised tweet • No strategic value • Pure vanity metric
The Recognition Trap: • "30 Under 30" features • "Top Innovator" lists • "Rising Star" awards • Pitch competition wins = Great for LinkedIn, useless for business

The Truth: While you're chasing fake traction, Someone else is building real business.

Remember: "If you have to explain why your traction is impressive, it's not actually traction."

Author

Ai Base Network (ABN), ABN ASIA was founded by people with deep roots in academia, with work experience in the US, Holland, Hungary, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam. ABN Asia is where academia and technology meet opportunity. With our cutting-edge solutions and competent software development services, we're helping businesses level up and take on the global scene. Our commitment: Faster. Better. More reliable. In most cases: Cheaper as well.

Feel free to reach out to us whenever you require IT services, digital consulting, off-the-shelf software solutions, or if you'd like to send us requests for proposals (RFPs). You can contact us at [email protected]. We're ready to assist you with all your technology needs.