Modern Tech & Startup Terms You Should Know
Technology and startups evolve rapidly, with new terms and buzzwords emerging every year. If you’ve ever been puzzled by phrases like ‘unicorn company’ or ‘pivoting to find product-market fit,’ this guide is for you.
Explore this clear glossary of modern tech and startup terminology, explained in plain, easy-to-understand language.
Startup & Business Terms
Unicorn. A privately held startup valued at $1 billion+.
Decacorn. — A startup valued at $10 billion+.
Hectocorn. — A company worth $100 billion+.
Soonicorn — A startup that looks ready to become a unicorn soon.
MVP (Minimum Viable Product) — A simple product built fast to test an idea.
Pivot — Changing business direction to survive or grow.
Bootstrapping — Growing a business with little or no outside funding.
Runway — How long a startup can last before running out of money.
Burn Rate — The speed at which a company spends money.
Exit — When founders or investors sell their company (IPO or acquisition).
IPO (Initial Public Offering) — When a company goes public by selling shares.
Accelerator / Incubator — Programs that help startups with mentorship, office space, or funding.
💻 Technology & Development Terms
Tech Stack — The mix of coding languages, frameworks, and tools used in a product.
API (Application Programming Interface) — Rules that let software systems talk to each other.
Open Source — Software that’s free for anyone to use and improve.
SaaS (Software as a Service) — Software delivered online (Zoom, Google Workspace).
PaaS / IaaS — Platforms and infrastructure delivered from the cloud.
Cloud-native — Apps designed to run directly in the cloud.
DevOps — A culture combining development and operations for faster delivery.
Agile — A flexible, step-by-step way of building software.
Scrum / Sprint — Agile frameworks where work is split into short cycles.
Microservices — Apps broken into smaller, independent services.
Emerging Tech Buzzwords
AI (Artificial Intelligence) — Machines that can learn and make decisions.
ML (Machine Learning) — AI that improves as it processes more data.
Generative AI — AI that creates text, art, or music (e.g., ChatGPT).
Digital Twin — A digital copy of a physical object or system.
Edge Computing — Processing data closer to where it’s created.
Blockchain — A secure, decentralized record system.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token) — Unique digital assets stored on blockchain.
DAO (Decentralized Autonomous Organization) — A group run by smart contracts and votes.
Metaverse — A shared 3D digital world.
Web3 — A vision of a decentralized, blockchain-powered internet.
Quantum Computing — Computers using quantum mechanics for super-fast problem solving.
IoT (Internet of Things) — Everyday devices connected to the internet (smart bulbs, cars).
Business & Marketing Terms in Tech
Freemium — Free basic service with paid upgrades.
Product-Market Fit — When customers love a product so much it grows naturally.
Growth Hacking — Creative, low-cost strategies to grow users quickly.
Churn Rate — The percentage of customers who leave
CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) — How much it costs to get a customer.
LTV (Lifetime Value) — The total revenue a customer brings over time.
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