Early-stage AI companies face a unique challenge: moving fast while proving they can manage risk responsibly. Safe-By-Design Startups provides practical guidance for founders and technical leaders who need lightweight, credible controls without slowing innovation. This book focuses on governance and safety measures that are realistic for startups with limited resources. It explains how to embed responsible AI practices early, before technical debt and regulatory exposure accumulate. Rather than enterprise-heavy frameworks, the book offers pragmatic templates and decision tools that align with investor expectations, customer trust requirements, and emerging regulatory norms. It helps startups demonstrate maturity without bureaucracy. Key topics include: Minimum viable AI governance for startups Safe-by-design principles applied to early products Lightweight risk assessments and approval workflows Investor- and customer-facing AI controls Compliance basics without enterprise overhead Written for founders and CTOs, this guide helps AI startups scale responsibly while maintaining speed, credibility, and trust.