Friday 31 August

There is conjecture over how long a business can tag itself as a ‘start-up’. Nonetheless, by most accounts, you should be moving beyond your initial formative stage by your third year.

That is precisely where StartupSmart finds itself ahead of the site’s second birthday tomorrow.

Much like any other start-up, we’ve learned a lot about the marketplace since we launched and strive every day to provide the high-quality content our audience demands.

But how long does the start-up struggle last for?

Today, in a special series of second birthday-themed features, business advisor Greg Hayes explains why start-ups aren’t out of the danger zone by their third year and HR expert Vicki Crowe outlines how to handle your first hire – a common challenge for firms a couple of years in.