14 International Accelerators Speak Out on the Top 4 Components for Startup SuccessAccelerators have a vested interest in startups succeeding and a front-row seat for observing why they do and don't.
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If anyone could unravel the mystery of why some startups succeed and others fail, it would be the business accelerators. They have a front-row seat with real-world experience. Their reputation is on the line, and rapid turnover is not their friend. They have a vested interest in seeing their clients succeed.
Over the past three months, we have conducted a survey of 14 international business accelerators. With their experience, what wastheirtake on startup success and failure? Over the next few months we will be publishing the results of that study.
Our first question was, "What are the most important qualities successful startup founders possess?" Interestingly, with such a wide range of international respondents, the answers were quite similar.
1. Work/Action
As Alyse Daunis, Program Manager, ofLaunch Alaskasays, "Startups need doers. Doers live for building things and executing. Founders who execute intelligently and quickly are more likely to succeed."
"In the early days, the founder(s) need to be hands-on with all parts of the business -- the technology, sales, finances, etc. It is inevitable that they will need to do things outside their comfort zone and do them at least well enough to get others to buy in," says Elza Seregelyi, director ofL-SPARKCanadian Business Accelerator.
Eric Mathews, founder and CEO, ofStart Coadds, "… action removes doubt. A startup's main advantage is speed of learning. You learn what works and doesn't work when you take action, run tests, get feedback, and iterate. You can't be an entrepreneur in an armchair -- you must do."
And Greg Wright, founder, ofHATCH pitchsays, "(Maintaining) a relentless focus on doing whatever it takes (acting, not talking)."
Related:6 Things Big Companies Look for When Buying Your Startup
2. Customer Focus
Ashish Bhatia, founder/MD, ofIndia Acceleratoroffers, "Don't focus too much on funding! Focus on solving the right problem, the right way. Focus on basics; customers, their experience and retention."
"(Having) a deep understanding of the market (you) plan to serve, its size and realistic revenue potential, and the needs of the customers there. Apply technology to solve real customer problems better than anyone else is currently doing it," says Jason Cole, CEO, ofDa Primus Consulting.
"(Keep) a laser focus on the customer," says Joe Bush, executive director, ofWorcester CleanTech Incubator. Susan Langdon, executive director, ofToronto Fashion Incubatoradds, "(Use) Innovation: Develop a product or service that's more innovative and desirable than what your competitors are offering."
Related:10 Lessons From Billion-Dollar 'Unicorn' Startups
3. Empathy
"It sounds incredibly counterintuitive, but those who practice grace, generosity and peace are more likely to succeed due to their inherent capabilities and perceptions of life and business," says Lauren Tiffan, director ofOcean Accelerator.
"Understanding the customer's situation. I love founding teams where at least one person has firsthand experience in the customers' world so they inherently understand the pains and opportunities. But even so, founders still need to validate their assumptions," adds Elza Seregelyi, director, ofL-SPARKCanadian Business Accelerator.
Nobu Kumagai, founder and managing partner ofWildcard Incubator, offers "Compassion. This along with "gratitude' are both taught from notable entrepreneurs in Japan who (achieved) success during the post-war period. Successful founders and businesspersons, historically and across the Pacific, possess this compassionate mindset, to empower those surrounding (them), including co-founders, co-workers, customers, intermediaries,and so on."
Related:10 Startup Tips Learned the Hard Way
4. Persistence
"Willingness to listen and learn, persistence, and the ability to excite others about their idea," says Christian Busch, CEO ofGerman AcceleratorTech NY.
"Determination and resilience in the face of disappointment," adds Keith Hopper, CEO ofDanger Fort Labs.
Eric Mathews, founder and CEO ofStart Cosays, "Perseverance is the X-factor. There will be troughs of sorrow, pits of despair, crashes of ineptitude, but understand that the obstacle is the way forward. Know that there are only two steps on the path: start and never stop."
Other desirable qualities the respondents mentioned more than once included sales, cashflow management, team building, coachability, resourcefulness and basic business and social skills. Jim Bowie, site manager/associate director of theUniversity of Central Florida Business Incubation Programthinks another desirable quality is, "The ability to be a persuasive communicator and focus on sales."
Ben Hsieh, program manager ofNestadded, "Time management, interpersonal/communication skills and quick learner."
We are grateful to the accelerators who have shared their experiences to help us better understand and reinforce what itreallytakes to be a successful startup. After all, it's theirbusinessto know!
请继续关注更多关于entrepreneu的很好的建议rship from accelerators who have seen it, lived it, and learned from it!
