Does “The Lean Startup” increase startups’ chances of success in Lisbon?

: introduction to a "Leanness" scale

Abstract

When following “The Lean Startup” (TLS) methodology, described by Eric Ries, startups are expected to have higher chances of success than conventional startups. The following study is the first attempt to empirically assess TLS approach macroscopic impact on startups’ death rates in the Lisbon’s ecosystem. A survey with validated “leanness” measuring scale, was used to classify startups. A local startup database, built using mainly online resources, diffused the survey through out Lisbon’s established startups. In addition, several semi-structured interviews were held with local entrepreneurship experts to complement quantitative findings. Lisbon’s “Lean” startups’ death rates were compared against “non-Lean” startups. No meaningful correlation between TLS usage and lower startups’ death rates were found. Additionally, studying TLS methodology adoption rates in Lisbon was not possible due to sample size limitations. Furthermore, no connection between increased investor’s confidence towards “Lean” investment opportunities was qualitatively found, neither have experts stood behind standardized metrics to monitor startups’ progress. Startups’ information is scattered and outdated, rendering research challenging and time-consuming. Startups struggle to standout from small businesses also riding the entrepreneurial hype, forming a foggy entrepreneurial hotspot. A startup certification process would be invaluable to highlight, accurately entitle fiscal benefits, increase investors’ exposure and monitor real startups’ progress. The developed “Leanness” scale could also be used to measure how much startups actually follow TLS methodology. Further groundwork is still needed to set the first research foundations on the subject in Lisbon.

Date of Award	7 Mar 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	António Francisco Lucena Ferreira de Faria (Supervisor)