Анализ факторов успеха стартапов-единорогов на международном рынке / Analysis of success factors of unicorn startups on the international market

Аннотация

This research aimed to conduct a deep analysis of factors associated with the success of unicorn startups. The study focused on identifying the most crucial factors for the development of unicorn startups. The analysis results obtained within the research framework allow for an assessment of the current state of the industry and provide the opportunity to forecast its future development.The study encompassed a comprehensive analysis of the current state of unicorn startups. A significant task involved investigating the factors influencing these startups using a case study method. The research work comprised an introduction, main part, conclusion, and literature list. The main stages of the research included literature review, analysis of the factors identified during the review, determination of the research methodology, data search, economic analysis, explanation and discussion of the results, formulation of recommendations based on the findings, overall conclusions, and the final remarks. The theoretical part involved a literature review to identify the success factors of unicorn startups. Modern authors' works, recognized in the international scientific arena with high citation ratings, were utilized for the review. Various research methods, including the case study method, were defined in the literature. The identified factors were classified based on the works reviewed. In the methodological part, the research data and companies for the study were determined. As a part of this study, data was collected from a total of 14 unicorn startups, which were categorized into successful and failed cases, as well as private and public companies. The selection of successful cases was based on the largest startups, while the unsuccessful cases were determined using rankings compiled by the startup studio Admitad projects, which identified the most expensive startups fails.The case study method was chosen as the primary research approach, as it enables a comprehensive comparison of various company cases and facilitates an assessment of the influence of success factors based on each company's unique history and context. Data for the analysis was gathered from the official websites of the startups and reliable data providers. A comparative table was constructed, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative indicators, serving as the main source of analysis. The practical part presented the main conclusions derived from the conducted work and provided general recommendations for the future development of unicorn startups.The research's significance lies in the fact that startups have become an integral part of the modern economy. Among them, there is a special type called unicorn startups, which have achieved tremendous success and are valued at over a billion dollars. However, not every startup can reach such heights. This raises the question of which factors determine startup success and how one can increase the chances of becoming a unicorn startup.The aim of this research was to investigate the factors influencing the success of unicorn startups, i.e., companies that have reached a valuation of one billion dollars or more. Unicorn startups were selected as the object of study, while the success factors of unicorn startups constituted the subject of the research. Various aspects were examined, such as company age, founders' experience, investment volume, industry of operation, as well as stock prices before and after IPO. Factors with the greatest impact on startup success were identified, including product uniqueness, proper team selection, and the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions.Through this research, valuable insights were gained regarding the factors influencing the success of unicorn startups. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about the significance of founder experience and the impact of going public on a company's success. Building a strong and cohesive team is crucial as it plays a vital role in overall startup success. Effective communication, trust, and shared goals among team members are essential for overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities, and maintaining motivation. A positive team climate promotes openness, constructive feedback, and readiness to embrace change, which are necessary in the dynamic startup ecosystem.The study findings challenge the notion that founder experience plays a significant role in company success. The cases presented demonstrate that diverse founder backgrounds indicate that experience is not a fundamental element of success. Additionally, the study reveals that whether a company goes public or not does not impact its success. The majority of companies invest in team activities, training, and the establishment of a corporate culture, indicating that these practices are not exclusive to successful companies.