Bill Gross conducted a study of 125 companies in his portfolio and 125 outside companies to determine the top 5 factors for startup success. He found that while execution is important, timing may matter even more. His research showed that factors like market readiness, infrastructure, support services, competition, and the economy can significantly impact a startup's chances for success or failure. Entrepreneurs are advised to carefully consider questions about timing to ensure they enter the market at an optimal moment.

1. Making the breaks
for entrepreneurial success
John D. Hipsley
Sunnyvale, CA
September 4th, 2015
BUSINESS BREAKLINES

2. ADAPATATION OF
TED Talk – June 2015
“The Single biggest reason why startups succeed”
by
Bill Gross
https://www.ted.com/talks/bill_gross_the_single_biggest_reason_why_startups_succeed?language=en

3. Idealab founded over 100 companies in last 20 years

4. THE IMPORTANT CONCLUSION
Execution matters but timing
may matter more

5. Mr. Gross came to this conclusion by investigating
how 5 key factors affected the success of the 125
companies in his portfolio at Idealab and 125
companies outside of his portfolio.
Funding
Business
Model
Idea
Team
(execution)
Timing

6. Top 5 Factors to success
across 500 companies

7. HOW TO KNOW IF THE TIMING IS RIGHT
Ask the right questions; e.g.
1) Is the market ready?
2) Is there proper infrastructure in place?
3) Are there existing support services?
4) Am I too late into the game?
5) What is my competitor failing to deliver?
6) How is the economy?

8. 1) Market readiness
2) Infrastructure
3) Support services
4) Late into the game
5) Competitor failings
6) Economy
can make or break you
A Timing Breakline for Entrepreneurs
Your timing …

9. 1
Funding
2
Business
Model
3
Ideas
(“truth”
Outlier)
4
Team
(execution)
5
Timing
Making the Breaks