A maturity model for software startup ecosystems

Daniel Cukier,Fabio Kon

doi:10.1186/s13731-018-0091-6

Daniel Cukier, Fabio Kon

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13731-018-0091-6

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Abstract

Resulting from the digital revolution of the last decades, multiple startup hubs flourished across the globe in the past 10 years. Healthy environments for the development of innovative, nascent digital enterprises require a well-balanced variety of agents and supporting processes, which we collectively call a software startup ecosystem. These ecosystems are fundamental for the insertion of countries in the digital economy of the twenty-first century. However, having all the elements that compose such environments in the most advanced and prolific state is difficult and relatively rare.In this paper, we show that startup ecosystems can evolve over time passing through a sequence of maturity level stages. For that, we introduce a maturity model for software startup ecosystems based on systematic qualitative research around a multiple case study we conducted across three ecosystems. The study was carried out over 4 years and included an extensive array of data collection mechanisms such as literature reviews, expert interviews, and observations in three relevant ecosystems (Tel-Aviv, São Paulo, and New York); all collected data were analyzed with techniques based on Grounded Theory, resulting in a conceptual framework of software startup ecosystems.Finally, we developed a maturity model for startup ecosystems, which helps us understand their evolution and dynamics. Moreover, it can serve as a basis for stakeholders in less mature ecosystems to analyze their environment, identify weak spots, and propose policies and practical actions for improving their ecosystems over time.

Highlights

In the last two decades, we observed the rise and maturation of many software startup ecosystems around the world
In our last iteration for validation with the multiple case study, we found that the New York City startup ecosystem fits perfectly in the final model (Cukier et al 2016)
Results and discussion we discuss the results from the three phases of our research: the startup ecosystem conceptual framework, insights from the São Paulo Ecosystem, and the New York Case-study Adherence to the Maturity Model

Summary

Introduction

In the last two decades, we observed the rise and maturation of many software startup ecosystems around the world. Given the hundreds of technological clusters present in different countries, it is difficult to identify each ecosystem’s level of development. This paper proposes a methodology to measure such maturity with respect to multiple factors, enabling the ability to compare different ecosystems, but, more. Instead of aiming to imitate successful ecosystems, each region should identify and develop its own qualities (Isenberg 2010). Isenberg proposes a conceptual model for entrepreneurship ecosystems, which maps different agents in the ecosystem and proposes that they must work together. Isenberg’s model is based on the OECD entrepreneurial determinants, which proposes indicators for measuring an ecosystem’s performance in six areas: regulatory framework, market conditions, access to finance, creation and diffusion of knowledge, entrepreneurial capabilities, and entrepreneurship culture. A limitation of this model is that it misses ecosystems’ dynamics and the connectivity aspects

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