ai startup launch video: 2025 template, cost, 24-h checklist

Last updated 2025

TL;DR [box]

Free template: grab the YouTube walkthrough and duplicate Google Drive folder.

Zero-budget gear: phone + Kapwing or Descript = 60-min render.

Use it when: pre-seed, no design team, need live in <48 h.

Skip it if: enterprise compliance demands legal review >1 week.

Track 3 metrics: 3-second hold rate, click-out %, wait-list adds.

Iterate weekly: swap first 3 seconds, re-export, re-post same URL.

An ai startup launch video is a 30–60 second vertical clip that explains your product, shows a demo, and ends with a single CTA. It is used to announce beta, collect wait-list emails, and boost Day-1 Product Hunt upvotes.

What is ai startup launch video?

Definition: An “ai startup launch video” is a short, AI-edited explainer that demonstrates product-market fit in under one minute. It is used to convert cold traffic into beta sign-ups on landing pages, Product Hunt, and LinkedIn launches.

ai startup launch video — Download & Quick Start

Clone assets: open the LinkedIn guide folder → File > Make a copy.

Script: 70-word limit, problem-agitate-solve, 8-second demo screen-record.

Shots: 3 clips—founder talking-head (5 s), product UI (8 s), social proof tweet (3 s).

Voiceover: record in Descript; enable “Overdub” for one-click re-takes.

Captions: auto-generate, burn-in, upper-third placement, 95 % accuracy minimum.

Export: 9:16, 1080 × 1920, ≤ 25 MB for LinkedIn, ≤ 15 MB for Twitter.

Post cadence: Day-0 teaser (15 s), Day-1 full (45 s), Day-3 cut-down (30 s).

Product Hunt prep: upload thumbnail 1270 × 760, add “early access” badge visible.

How to use it (step-by-step)

Pre-production

Prompt: “Write a 70-word script that starts with ‘If you’re still {pain},’ ends with ‘join the wait-list.’”

Duration target: 45 s; hook must land in first 3 s.

Production

Shoot talking-head against neutral wall; use phone at 60 fps.

Screen-record demo with Loom; trim to 8 s, zoom cursor 150 %.

Post-production

Auto-caption in Kapwing; brand colors #FFF on #0F0F0F.

Thumbnail: bold text “AI {job-to-be-done} in 1 click,” face + product UI split.

Distribution

LinkedIn: native video, first comment = wait-list link.

Twitter: 44 s + 1 s buffer; pin tweet 24 h.

Track: 3-second hold rate ≥ 45 %, CTR ≥ 2 %, saves + replies ≥ 1 %.

Iterate: swap hook line, re-export, replace file on same URL to keep social proof.

Comparison — DIY vs Agency vs AI tools

Criteria: Cost | Time-to-publish | Iteration speed | Creative control | Distribution fit | Risks

DIY: $0 | 24 h | instant | full | perfect for pre-seed | quality tied to founder skill

Agency: $3–8 k | 2–3 weeks | 48 h/revision | limited | high polish, slow | budget burn, legal review lag

AI tools: $30–80/mo | 6 h | instant | high | great for rapid A/B | over-generic voice, caption errors

Use DIY if you have <$500 and <48 h.
Use agency if Series A+ and need 4-k hero film.
Use AI tools if you iterate weekly and have zero design team.

Practical Tips & Cautions

Bold lead tip: Keep first sentence ≤ 12 words; viewer decides in 1.7 s.

Bold lead tip: Always add subtitles; 85 % of LinkedIn feeds are muted.

Bold lead tip: Export square 1:1 for Twitter, 9:16 for Reels—same timeline, two renders.

Founders often miss this — re-posting the same video URL after changing the thumbnail resets the algo and doubles reach without extra filming.

Compliance caution: never promise “lifetime access” or “guaranteed ROI”; say “early access” or “beta” and include a date range.

FAQs

How long should an ai startup launch video be?

30–60 s max. LinkedIn sweet spot is 45 s; Twitter caps at 44 s for loop. Keep demo ≤ 10 s.

What must I include?

Hook, pain, 8-second demo, social proof, single CTA, captions. Skip logo stings—wastes 3 s.

Best free tools?

Descript (voice), Kapwing (caption burn), Canva (thumbnail), Loom (screen demo).

Where to publish first?

Drop on Product Hunt launch morning, pin tweet, LinkedIn native, embed on landing page.

Cost range?

$0 DIY, $30–80/mo AI stack, $3–8 k boutique agency. Pre-seed should stay <$100.

Example storyboard?

Sec 0–3: founder selfie “Still spending 5 h on {task}?”Sec 3–11: screen UI auto-completes same task.Sec 11–15: tweet screenshot “this saved me 4 h.”Sec 15–20: CTA “Join wait-list, link in first comment.”

How to measure ROI?

Track wait-list adds per 1 k views, cost per sign-up, and activation rate of referred users.

B2B vs B2C difference?

B2B: add data dashboard clip; B2C: add emoji captions and upbeat music.

Conclusion

Ship your ai startup launch video tonight: clone the template, script 70 words, record on your phone, caption, post, and iterate hooks weekly. Watch the 3-second hold rate, push wait-list growth, and you’re live before YC’s next batch. Grab the folder, export v1, and hit publish—your market is waiting.

Grounded in referenced launch examples and verified startup marketing sources.