Social networks and start-up funding

Abstract

This paper examines whether aggregate social networks influence start-up firms’ access to external funding. We find that start-ups in U.S. counties with higher social proximity to start-up funding (SPF) attract a larger investor base and secure more capital. The results are robust to several alternate specifications. We also show that start-ups in counties with higher SPF have high survival rates and successful exits. Our findings highlight the importance of aggregate social connections in facilitating access to early-stage funding.