I am a big fan of Star Trek series, especially Deep Space 9. As a startup evangelist and co-founder of a startup Locodels (https://locodels.com), I’ve extracted part of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition and applied them to the startup world.

#2 The best deal is the one that makes the most profit.

Revenue and traction are the only things you need to keep an eye on.

#5 Always exaggerate your estimates.

Use this wisely to find the right KPIs.

#7 Always keep your ears open.

Networking matters.

#9 Opportunity, plus instinct, equals profit.

Be at the right place in the right time with the right team.

#11 Even if it’s free, you can always buy it cheaper.

Competition is tough.

#12 Anything worth selling is worth selling twice.

Recurring revenue must be your goal!

#29 What’s in it for me?

Your investors and your customers need to be big fans of yours.

#37 The early investor reaps the most interest.

No need to explain this :)

#44 Never confuse wisdom with luck.

Even the best teams can’t succeed without luck.

#45 Expand or die.

If you need more time, sleep faster.

#57 Good customers are almost as rare as latinum…treasure them.

And make them your fans.

#60 Keep your lies consistent.

If you fake it until you make it, be sure to know what you’re doing.

#74 Knowledge equals profit.

Never stop educating yourself and your employees.

#85 Never let the competition know what you’re thinking.

Keep your real strategy to yourself.

#87 Learn the customer’s weaknesses, so that you can better take advantage of him.

Solving a problem brings better profit.

#92 There are many paths to profit.

Explore your revenue streams.

#110 Exploitation begins at home.

Your first customers and investors are found among family and friends.

#194 It’s always good business to know about new customers before they walk in your door.

Know your customer’s habits and problems.

#217 You can’t free a fish from water.

Don’t push your customers outside of their comfort zone, you need to become their comfort zone.

#255 A wife is [a] luxury… a smart accountant a necessity.

Your need to know your books and financials.

#280 If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Some problems are not problems worth solving.

And probably the most important one:

When no appropriate rule applies, make one up.