A stealth startup is a type of startup company that operates quietly and in silence to outsiders, avoiding public attention. This may be done to hide information from competitors (which may include non-disclosure agreements), or as part of a marketing strategy to manage public image and generate expectations and interest from potential clients. A stealth startup normally operates only in stealth mode for its first few years.[1]
The phenomenon is well known in the venture capital (VC) community. Since investors may have to disclose funding a stealth startup, their names are made public; but often, only a general summary description is known about the company.[2]