Understanding Startup Theory
Since August of 2015, I’ve been writing on ConnorGillivan.com about my experiences as an eCommerce entrepreneur. I started two new companies in the beginning of 2016, eCommetize and FreeeUp and have been on a mission to document the first year of growing both businesses for the benefit of my readers.
Along the way, I’ve been reading books, speaking with mentors, and learning from my experiences. Over the past week, I’ve been thinking more and more about startup theory. I’ve always been intrigued by theoretical understandings of topics, specific to economics and math, so I figured it was time that I dive a bit deeper into startup theory.
What Is Already Out There?
My reasoning is that if I want to create my own startup theory and methodology, I must first understand what is already out there.
When I search “startup theory” on Google, the first two results are for the lean startup methodology. Rightfully so as it has come to be one of the most practiced startup theories in the past 10 years. I myself have read the book multiple times and have pulled lessons from their theory to form my business ideals.
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The results under the lean startup were much less focused. Check out the links below.
http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/
http://thestartupmag.com/darwin-theory-startups/
http://www.bschool.cuhk.edu.hk/asia-aom/05_paper/10_tsai.pdf
My Initial Thoughts
I was a bit disappointed to see that there weren’t more startup theories shaping the minds of entrepreneurs around the world. But I couldn’t form my opinion off one Google search…so I dug deeper.
I searched using a number of different key terms and eventually I found an array of startup philosophies from entrepreneurs. Phew..there are other people out there that care about the theory of building a startup too!
Analyzing Startup Theory
It’s such an interesting topic of study because of the high level of uncertainty that accompanies starting a business. As opposed to mathematics and other subjects where there are laws and proven theories, startup theory largely depends on the entrepreneur and how they go about forming decisions in the founding and growth stages of their company.
However, there are several tested startup theories such as The Lean Startup that have a hyper focus on specific aspects of building your startup. A few great examples are the minimum viable product and gaining customer validation. These hyper focused theories are effective in education and practice because they provide entrepreneurs with building steps to making sure that their startup idea is solving a real problem in the market.
We see the implementation of these startup theories in hundreds of startup accelerator programs that exist around the world. With the emergence of The Lean Startup, we have seen the creation of a new market attempting to properly educate and mentor entrepreneurs when in the infancy of their ideas. The accelerators are usually founded and run by past successful entrepreneurs who have a spin on their own startup theory that they imprint on the classes of entrepreneurs that come through looking to take their idea to the next level. It’s an amazing push in the entrepreneurial sector that educates entrepreneurs about startup theory outside of traditional higher education institutions.
A Look to the Future
The success of The Lean Startup methodology and the emergence of tech accelerators all over the world gives me hope that there is more room for startup theory to disrupt the current models of entrepreneurship. As the entrepreneurial spirit encourages, there is always room for innovation. In a sector where the future is uncertain, new theories can be adopted at fast rates and reach mass popularity.
My Mission
It continues to be my mission to make a positive impact on entrepreneurs through my writing. As I make it through year 1 of building eCommetize and FreeeUp, I will continue to take rigorous notes with the intent of building a new startup theory to build upon what has come before me.
Support the Cause
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