The Startup’s Guide to ICPs: Why They Matter & How to Get Them Right

Building an Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) is a critical first step for startups. It forms the foundation for targeted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, building customer traction, and understanding how to evolve the brand as the company scales. In other words, the ICP is the guiding beacon for every aspect of sales, marketing, and customer success.  

 

The process begins with understanding why the ICP is tightly framed and specific. Building the ICP should engage collaboration from teams across the organization. Involving various departments ensures the ICP accurately reflects the needs and preferences of the most valuable audience. Once built, this profile becomes the foundation and driver for tailored strategies to attract, convert, and retain key target customers – ultimately driving sustainable business success. 

 

In this mini-episode, BIP Ventures General Partner and Chief Performance Officer Christy Johnson explains how to define an ICP that effectively attracts, converts, and retains the most important audience for the business. She considers the need for a sufficient market size and budget, as well as the challenges of targeting only the largest companies. The conversation also explores the concept of having multiple ICPs versus focusing on one, highlighting the benefits of focus and the potential internal distractions of having too many targets. The main takeaway is the importance of clarity and focus in defining and pursuing an ICP. 

 

What You Will Learn: 

• Factors to consider when building an ICP profile  

• How to determine the market with the best ICP for your product  

• Having one vs. multiple ICPs  

Standout Quotes: 

• “Choose the highest probable segment that has plenty of prospects, the ability to pay, and a repeatable process and go after it exclusively.”  

• “Every single ICP requires a different marketing motion, message, and competitive card.”  

Let’s Connect! 

Rachelle Kuramoto 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellekuramoto-atlanta/ 

 

Christy Johnson 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjohnsonatlanta/ 

 

BIP Ventures 

Website: www.bipventures.vc 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/bipventures/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bipventures/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bipventures 

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bipventures