Insight into start-up, its action and surroundings

Abstract

Start-ups are an appealing business form that gives space for self-realisation to enthusiastic, brave and creative people. The start-up progress is conditioned by the development of the business model. Other conditions for start-up viability include monetisation of business effort, effective leadership and teamwork, business strategy and external business support. A survey conducted on a sample of 76, 72 and 53 start-ups in three stages in 2015, 2016 and 2017 examined the development of those beginning and imperfect micro-enterprises in Slovakia. The research results are as follows. Start-ups are relatively closed, and their business model is inadequately connected to the environment. Start-ups know their customers well, but they do not know how to get them. They do not create partnerships in a sufficient range and quality. The monetisation of the examined start-ups is a little sophisticated, too traditional and without experimentation. Just less than a third of start-ups sell their basic product or service for free and generate money by selling premium services only. The most developed blocks are still customer value proposition and customer relationships; the least developed blocks are distribution channels and revenue streams. Startuppers rely on the simple assumption that a working business model will provide a lucrative earning directly. The founders of the studied start-ups are capable visionaries, but less competent managers. Start-up teams have demonstrated a high degree of internal cohesiveness and support in unpleasant and unpredictable situations, but they lack a greater formalisation of work in a routine operation. Business strategies of start-ups are ambitious and international, but little verified in a competitive battle. The competitive advantage of start-ups is based on differentiation rather than on low cost. Start-ups do not trust the state support for business; they cooperate with large companies just a little, but prefer to work with the start-up scene and private investors. Start-ups must mature entrepreneurially, enthusiasts must become entrepreneurs and managers, and they have to learn how to monetise their business effort. Start-ups will be most aided by the cultural and civilisation development of a society that recognises entrepreneurship as a natural, useful and honourable resource for the development of the national economy.