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The German Venture Investors' Perspective on Success Factors of Digital Start-ups: A Mixed-Methods Approach

Author

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  • Nina Schumacher

Abstract

This study examines the perspective of German venture investors on the success factors of digital start-ups at the micro- (entrepreneurial personality), macro- (contextual factors), and meso- (business model) levels and derives an integrated, evidence-based working model of entrepreneurial success. This study follows a mixed-methods design, using theory-driven semi-structured expert interviews to collect quantitative and qualitative data. Triangulation of the data ensures that the results are unbiased. The study shows that the business model and single components of the business model are the least relevant success factors of digital start-ups from the perspective of German venture capitalists. Moreover, this study has some evidence of the relevance of venture capital availability as a contextual factor. Instead, the results show, in line with the literature, that personality factors in general and team leadership skills, in particular, seem to have a significant impact on the success of digital start-ups from the perspective of German venture capitalists.

Suggested Citation

  • Nina Schumacher, 2023. "The German Venture Investors' Perspective on Success Factors of Digital Start-ups: A Mixed-Methods Approach," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 17(5), pages 1-1, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibn:ijbmjn:v:17:y:2023:i:5:p:1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zoltán J. Ács & Erkko Autio & László Szerb, 2015. "National Systems of Entrepreneurship: Measurement issues and policy implications," Chapters, in: Global Entrepreneurship, Institutions and Incentives, chapter 28, pages 523-541, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    2. Lee, Neil & Sameen, Hiba & Cowling, Marc, 2015. "Access to finance for innovative SMEs since the financial crisis," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 370-380.
    3. Elia, Gianluca & Margherita, Alessandro & Passiante, Giuseppina, 2020. "Digital entrepreneurship ecosystem: How digital technologies and collective intelligence are reshaping the entrepreneurial process," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    4. Philip E. Auerswald & Lokesh Dani, 2017. "The adaptive life cycle of entrepreneurial ecosystems: the biotechnology cluster," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 49(1), pages 97-117, June.
    5. Diane M. Sullivan & Cameron M. Ford, 2014. "How Entrepreneurs use Networks to Address Changing Resource Requirements during Early Venture Development," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 38(3), pages 551-574, May.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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