19 Team Building Activities for Startups in 2025

Are you in search of some team building activities for startups?

Starting a new company is both exciting and challenging. The reason is dealing with employees of different personalities and skills can be a difficult task.

As a startup leader, you should create a positive working environment that brings your teams together.

In this article, let’s see 19 team building exercises specifically designed for your startup company. Conducting these activities in your workplace can help you bring your employees together.

19 Team Building Activities for Startups

Here are some good startup team building activities that you can try.

#1. Company Quiz

For: Breaking the ice, and understanding the company

This is an interactive trivia game that allows startups to learn more about their industry and company history.

Time: 15-20 minutes

Materials Required: A list of trivia questions, paper, and pen

Participants: Any number of people per group

Instructions

  • Prepare trivia questions tailored to your startup’s industry and history.
  • Have each group write down their answers and explain why they chose them.
  • Discuss the answers and award the group that provided more correct answers.

#2. Talent Show

For: Getting to know each other, Developing a team atmosphere, and Recognizing individual talents

This is one of the amazing team building activities for startups. It is perfect for recognizing each member’s unique talents and creating a positive team atmosphere.

Time: 15-30 minutes (or longer depending on the number of participants)

Materials: None

Participants: Any number of members in a group

Instructions

  • Have each group member take turns performing their hidden talent. For example, singing, dancing, playing an instrument, etc.
  • Encourage everyone to clap and cheer for each performance.
  • After everyone has performed, award the best performer with a prize or recognition! ​​​​

#3. Two Truths and a Lie

For: Breaking the ice, and getting to know each other

This exercise helps your employees get to know each other better and encourages them to use their deductive skills.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Materials: None

Participants: Small groups of less than 10 members

Instructions

  • Ask each person to introduce themselves by sharing two true statements and one false statement about themselves.
  • Encourage the remaining group members to listen carefully and try to guess which statement is the lie.
  • Finally, discuss each individual’s statements and the reasoning behind how they determined which one was a lie.

#4. Appreciation Circle

For: Building trust and empathy

This activity develops an environment of empathy and appreciation within the startup team.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Materials: None

Participants: Any number of people in a group (but small is better)

Instructions

  • Have each member of the team share what they appreciate about other members.
  • Encourage everyone to give specific examples.
  • After everyone is finished, encourage the team to thank each other for their appreciation.​​​

#5. Cooking Competition

For: Creativity and problem-solving

This is one of the creative team building exercises for startups. It encourages employees to work together, be creative, and solve problems.

Time: You decide

Materials: A specific ingredient of your choice

Participants: 2-5 members per group

Instructions

  • Assign each group a specific ingredient and ask them to prepare a dish.
  • Make necessary arrangements and give the groups some time to prepare their dish.
  • After that, allow the groups to present their dishes for judging.
  • Declare the winner and provide them with a prize.

#6. Scavenger Hunt

For: Developing problem solving and decision making skills

Scavenger Hunt is one of the classic team building activities for startups. In this activity, teams work together to find a list of items.

Time: You decide

Materials: Clues or items to be collected

Participants: 2-5 members per group

Instructions

  • Divide the employees into small groups and assign each group a set of clues or items to collect.
  • Allow them time to search for the items on their list.
  • The group that finds all the items first wins the competition! ​

#7. Escape Room

For: Developing problem solving and decision making skills

In this activity, employees should work together to solve puzzles and riddles to escape a room.

Time: 15-30 minutes

Materials: Various puzzles

Participants: Small groups of less than 10 members

Instructions

  • Set up an escape room in a designated area with various puzzles, riddles, and clues.
  • Assign each team a different room and provide them with a time limit.
  • Encourage the teams to work together to solve the puzzles and riddles in order to escape from the room.
  • The team that escapes from their assigned room first wins the challenge!

#8. Office Olympics

For: Encouraging collaboration and team spirit

Office Olympics is a fun activity for your startup. It encourages healthy competition between employees while promoting teamwork.

Time: You decide

Materials: Various sporting equipment

Participants: All members of the startup team

Instructions

  • Designate a space for the office Olympics.
  • Set up different events such as relay races, tug-of-war, and egg-and-spoon races.
  • Form different teams and give them time to practice.
  • On the day of the event, let the teams compete in their respective events.
  • Award prizes or recognition to the winners!​​​​​

#9. Networking Event

For: Enhancing communication and collaboration

This is one of the outstanding team building activities for startups. It provides an opportunity for your employees to meet new people, share ideas, and learn from others.

Time: You decide

Materials: Refreshments, snacks, and decorations

Participants: All members of your startup team

Instructions

  • Designate a space for the networking event.
  • Set up refreshments, snacks, and decorations to make it festive.
  • Invite other startups in your area to join the event.
  • Allot time for mingling and networking.
  • Encourage members of your team to meet new people, share ideas, and learn from others. ​​​​

#10. Volunteer Day

For: Providing value to the community and strengthening team spirit

This activity helps employees gain a sense of purpose. It also encourages teamwork and empathy.

Time: A few hours

Materials: Supplies needed for the organization or charity

Participants: Decide depending on the event you choose

Instructions

  • Choose a charity or organization that the team is passionate about.
  • Decide the type of activities you want to do (e.g., cleaning, helping out with a fundraising event).
  • Set the date and plan for the team’s volunteer day.
  • During the event day, spend time volunteering and helping out at the chosen organization.
  • After the event, have a discussion about the experience and how it impacted the team.

#11. Book Club

For: Generating meaningful conversations and learning valuable lessons

This activity is a great way to promote learning, critical thinking, and teamwork within your startup team.

Time: You decide

Materials: A chosen book

Participants: All the employees

Instructions

  • Choose a book that all members can read together. For instance, biographies of successful entrepreneurs, books about the latest business trends, etc.
  • Set a deadline for them to read the book individually.
  • After the deadline, schedule a meeting to discuss what everyone has learned from the book.
  • Finally, brainstorm how to put those ideas into practice.​​​​

#12. Group Workout

For: Enhancing physical as well as mental health, and team bonding

This activity is a great way to encourage employees to maintain their physical health and foster connection with each other.

Time: Ongoing

Materials: Exercise equipment (optional)

Participants: All the employees

Instructions

  • Create a workout routine or activity that all members can participate in.
  • Set aside time for everyone to complete the workout together every week.
  • Make it fun by setting up both physical and mental challenges. For instance, physical challenges such as a certain number of push-ups, and mental challenges such as solving puzzles.
  • Celebrate with a group stretch or yoga session at the end.​​​

#13. Charades

For: Improving communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills

Charades is an ideal team building exercise for your new company. It requires employees to use their nonverbal communication skills and imagination.

Time: 10 minutes or more

Materials: None

Participants: Exactly two groups of any size

Instructions

  • Divide participants into two or more even groups.
  • Each group will take turns selecting a charade to act out. The other group must guess the answer within a set time limit. The charades can be related to the job, or topics outside of work such as movies, books, and sports.
  • Use a scoring system and award the group with the highest points at the end.​

#14. Jigsaw Puzzle with Negotiation

For: Enhancing problem-solving skills, communication, and negotiation

Time: You decide

Materials: Jigsaw puzzles of different sizes and complexity levels

Participants: At least two different groups

Instructions

  • Divide participants into groups of no more than 4 or 5 people.
  • Give each group a jigsaw puzzle and assign them a time limit to complete the puzzle.
  • During the game, the groups must negotiate with each other for pieces they are missing in order to complete their puzzles.
  • The group that completes their puzzle first in the allotted time wins.

#15. Brainstorming Game

For: Enhancing creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and collaboration

This exercise boosts creativity and helps team members come up with original ideas.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Materials: Whiteboard or flip chart and markers

Participants: Groups of 4 members

Instructions

  • Instruct the participants to split into groups of four. Then, give each group a whiteboard or flip chart and some markers.
  • Ask them to come up with as many ideas as possible for a given topic. For instance, the topic can be how to increase customer engagement for a new product launch.
  • Allow the groups 10 minutes to brainstorm and come up with ideas.
  • Finally, celebrate the unique ideas generated by each group and recognize their efforts.

#16. Taste Test

For: Enhancing communication and collaboration

This is one of the simple team building activities for startups. It is great for team bonding and getting everyone talking.

Time: 5-10 minutes

Materials: Each participant’s favorite snack

Participants: Groups of 6 or less

Instructions

  • Request that each employee bring a snack of their choice one or two days prior to the event.
  • At the start of the event, break the participants into small groups. Then, give enough plates and napkins to them.
  • Ask each group member to explain their snack in detail. Then, have everyone taste each others’ snacks and discuss the experience.
  • Finally, let the participants take a group photo enjoying the snacks.

#17. Photo Storytelling

For: Building trust and empathy

This activity helps employees gain insights into each other’s experiences by sharing something meaningful.

Time: 10-20 minutes

Materials: Photos from each person

Participants: 3-6 members per group

Instructions

  • Request everyone to bring a photo that inspires them. It can be a photo of something meaningful in their life, such as a family vacation or an important event.
  • During the exercise, ask each person to share the story behind their picture with the rest of the group.
  • Encourage the group members to listen actively and show respect for all stories.
  • Invite everyone to ask questions and provide feedback.

#18. Group Drawing

For: Encouraging collaboration, building trust, and creative thinking

This activity helps spark creative thinking and encourages employees to work together to create something meaningful.

Time: 15-30 minutes

Materials: Paper and markers

Participants: 3-6 members per group

Instructions

  • Ask each group to come up with a topic or theme and draw it on the paper.
  • The group members can take turns contributing to the drawing. Each person can draw whatever they like, but it should be related to the topic or theme.
  • Encourage everyone to collaborate and build on each other’s ideas. Once the drawing is finished, let them celebrate the final product with a group photo!

#19. Stand and Deliver

For: Getting to know each other, and Building public speaking and presentation skills.

This is an excellent game to get employees comfortable with sharing ideas and opinions in front of others, which is an important skill for any organization.

Time: 10-15 minutes

Materials: Random objects or topics for each participant

Participants: Less than 6 members per group

Instructions

  • Give each group member an object or topic. Then, ask them to do a one-minute presentation on that.
  • Let them stand up and deliver their presentations one after another.
  • At the end of each presentation, make sure everyone takes a moment to applaud and recognize the speakers’ efforts.
  • Finally, let the group members decide on the best presentation and honor that person with applause.

Want Some Unique Team Building Activities?

If you want some unique team building exercises for your startup, you can get my new e-book:

The Busy Leader’s Guide of Unique Team Building Activities: 30 Fully Customizable Exercises That You Can Conduct with Any Group of Employees, Anywhere

Or Want Some Unique Leadership Development Activities?

If you want some unique activities to equip your employees with leadership skills, qualities, and mindset, you can get my new e-book:

The Empowering Guide of Unique Leadership Development Activities: 100 Fully Customizable Exercises That You Can Conduct with Any Group of Employees, Anywhere

Final Words

Experiential learning activities can be a game-changer for the productivity and morale of startup teams. By incorporating these interactive exercises, you inspire collaboration, creativity, and a sense of unity within your organization. Remember, an engaged and cohesive team is the backbone of any successful startup journey.

Like this article on “19 Team Building Activities for Startups”? Feel free to share your thoughts.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Get Our New E-Book

Facebook
Twitter

Get Our New E-Book

Cart (0 items)