Launching and growing a startup is all about revenue growth, product-market fit, and scaling fast. But there’s another side of the equation that’s just as critical – cost optimization. While it may not sound as exciting as scaling your MRR or onboarding new users, reviewing your expenses can save you tens of thousands of złotys annually and dramatically reduce your burn rate.
Here’s a 10-point cost optimization checklist based on our recent episode at Incro.pl. These practical tips can help startup founders like you take control of spending without compromising growth.
1. Audit Your Subscription Payments
Ask yourself: How many software licenses do you really use?
You might think it’s just CRM, invoicing, or project management tools—but chances are you’re paying for 2–3x more licenses than you actually use. This applies to both founders and team members.
Actionable tip: Do a quarterly audit of all active subscriptions. Walk around with a notepad or send out a quick form to your team asking what tools they use and how often. If there’s hesitation? Cancel it. You can always reactivate it later—most won’t even notice.
Annual impact: Potential savings of hundreds of dollars monthly, translating to thousands annually.
2. Review Company Card Spending
If your team has access to company credit cards, you may be leaking cash without noticing it. From hotel bookings to online services, those small costs add up.
Actionable tip: Lower the spending limits on employee cards. This not only encourages mindfulness but also makes it easier to track who is spending on what.
And remember: that card is real money leaving your company—money that could fuel product development or marketing.
3. Offboarding = Offloading (Licenses)
When team members leave, do their software licenses leave with them?
Often, we forget to revoke access or cancel tools used only for a specific project. This leads to unnecessary recurring costs.
Actionable tip: Build license deactivation into your offboarding process. Check whether the number of active licenses matches your current headcount. You might be surprised.
4. Renegotiate Internet & Mobile Contracts
Have you checked your internet or mobile provider bills lately? Prices often creep up over time—without any additional value.
Actionable tip: Compare your current deals with competitors and negotiate better terms. Telecom providers are usually open to renegotiations or upgrades—especially when you mention switching.
Even small savings per line or service can make a big difference when multiplied across your team.
5. Leverage Startup Cloud Credits
Cloud infrastructure is one of the biggest cost centers for tech startups. But there’s good news: major cloud providers offer startup credits.
Look into:
- AWS Activate
- Microsoft for Startups
- Google Cloud for Startups
- OVH Startup Program
These programs can offer thousands of dollars’ worth of free credits—potentially cutting server expenses by up to 40,000 zł monthly in some cases.
Pro tip: Application forms are usually short and simple. Don’t miss out.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for part 2 of our startup savings series, where we’ll dive into 5 more powerful strategies to help you spend smarter and grow faster.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t already—start with an audit of your subscriptions and company cards. It’s the fastest way to spot leaks and take control.
Would you like to learn more useful information for StartUps? Listen to our podcast (available on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts).
You can also contact us directly – we’d be happy to discuss how to translate our methodology into achieving your company’s financial goals. Click here to schedule a free consultation.
