{"id":25672,"date":"2026-03-03T22:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T20:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/glossary\/startup\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T15:43:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T13:43:33","slug":"startup","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/startup\/","title":{"rendered":"Startup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><!-- TL;DR Box --><\/p>\n<h2>Further reading<\/h2>\n<div style=\"margin-top:0.5rem;\">\n<ul style=\"list-style:none;padding:0;\">\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:0.5rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/innovation-process-the-5-phases-of-successful-innovation-in-companies\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Innovation Process: 5 Phases for Successful Innovation<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:0.5rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/business-model-canvas-guide-examples-and-practical-tips-for-smes\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Business Model Canvas: Guide &amp; Examples for SMEs<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-bottom:0.5rem;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/digital-transformation-in-smes-a-guide-for-smes-in-the-dach-region\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Digital Transformation for SMEs: A Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#f0f1f3;padding:1.2em 1.5em;margin-bottom:2em;border-radius:8px;\">\n<strong>Key points at a glance:<\/strong> A startup is a young company that aims for scalable growth with an innovative business model. Unlike traditional new ventures, startups rely on disruptive ideas, rapid iteration, and external funding to open up new markets or transform existing ones.\n<\/div>\n<nav style=\"background:#f9f9f9;padding:1.5rem 2rem;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:2rem;\">\n<strong style=\"font-size:1.1rem;\">Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol style=\"margin:0.75rem 0 0;padding-left:1.25rem;\">\n<li><a href=\"#definition\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">What Is a Startup? Definition and Distinction <\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#merkmale\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Characteristics of a Startup<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#phasen\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Startup Stages: From Idea Stage to Scale-up<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#methoden\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Methods and Frameworks for Startups<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#finanzierung\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Startup Financing<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#oesterreich\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Startup Ecosystem in Austria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#fehler\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">The Most Common Reasons Why Startups Fail<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#faq\" style=\"text-decoration:none;color:#1a5276;\">Frequently Asked Questions About Startups<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"definition\">What Is a Startup? Definition and Distinction <\/h2>\n<p>A <strong>startup<\/strong> is a young company that develops an innovative product or service under conditions of extreme uncertainty. Steve Blank defines a startup as &#8220;a temporary organization in search of a scalable, repeatable business model&#8221;. <\/p>\n<p>This distinguishes a startup from a traditional business venture: A new restaurant is a venture, but not a startup. The difference lies in the degree of innovation, scalability, and growth ambition. Startups aim for exponential growth and often develop entirely new <a href=\"\/glossar\/geschaeftsmodell-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">business models<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<h2 id=\"merkmale\">Characteristics of a Startup<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Innovation:<\/strong> Novel product, new technology, or <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/disruptive-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">disruptive business model<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Scalability:<\/strong> The model can be <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/scaling\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">scaled<\/a> without proportional cost increases<\/li>\n<li><strong>Uncertainty:<\/strong> Neither product nor market is fully validated\u2014the risk is high<\/li>\n<li><strong>Growth Orientation:<\/strong> The goal is rapid growth, not stable income<\/li>\n<li><strong>External Financing:<\/strong> Often through business angels, venture capital, or funding programs<\/li>\n<li><strong>Agile Working Methods:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/agile-methods\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Agile methods<\/a>, rapid iterations, and <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/lean-startup\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Lean Startup principles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"phasen\">Startup Stages: From Idea Stage to Scale-up<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Idea Stage:<\/strong> Problem identification, initial solution idea, team formation. Tools: <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/design-thinking\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Design Thinking<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/jobs-to-be-done-jtbd\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Jobs-to-be-Done<\/a> <\/li>\n<li><strong>Validation Stage:<\/strong> Test hypotheses, build MVP, acquire first customers. Methods: <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/lean-startup\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Lean Startup<\/a>, <a href=\"\/glossar\/prototyping\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Rapid Prototyping<\/a> <\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/product-market-fit\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Product-Market Fit<\/a>:<\/strong> The product solves a real problem for a defined target group\u2014the critical hurdle<\/li>\n<li><strong>Growth Stage:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/scaling\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Scaling<\/a> of user base, team, and revenue. Focus on repeatable growth channels <\/li>\n<li><strong>Scale-up:<\/strong> Internationalization, professionalization of processes, sustainable profitability<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"methoden\">Methods and Frameworks for Startups<\/h2>\n<p>Successful startups use proven methods to make the right decisions under uncertainty:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/lean-startup\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Lean Startup<\/a>:<\/strong> Build-Measure-Learn\u2014validate hypotheses quickly and cost-effectively<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/business-model-canvas\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Business Model Canvas<\/a>:<\/strong> Structure the entire business model on one page<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"\/glossar\/value-proposition\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Value Proposition Design<\/a>:<\/strong> Systematically align customer needs and offering<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/okr-objectives-and-key-results-2\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">OKR<\/a>:<\/strong> Objectives and Key Results for focused goal-setting within the team<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/agile-methods\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Scrum \/ Agile<\/a>:<\/strong> Iterative product development in short cycles<\/li>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/pitch-deck\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Pitch Deck<\/a>:<\/strong> Present the startup story convincingly to investors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"finanzierung\">Startup Financing<\/h2>\n<p>The financing stages of a startup follow typical patterns:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Pre-Seed:<\/strong> Own funds (bootstrapping), family &amp; friends, founding grants<\/li>\n<li><strong>Seed:<\/strong> Business angels, accelerator programs, public funding (AWS, FFG in Austria)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Series A\/B\/C:<\/strong> Venture capital funds for proven growth<\/li>\n<li><strong>Growth\/Late Stage:<\/strong> Larger VC rounds, private equity, strategic investors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In Austria, institutions such as Austria Wirtschaftsservice (AWS), the Research Promotion Agency (FFG), and various accelerators support startup development. <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/venture-building\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Venture building<\/a> is another approach in which experienced teams systematically build startups.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"oesterreich\">Startup Ecosystem in Austria<\/h2>\n<p>Austria has developed a dynamic startup ecosystem in recent years:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Vienna:<\/strong> Largest startup hub with institutions such as the Vienna Startup Package and numerous co-working spaces<\/li>\n<li><strong>Funding Landscape:<\/strong> AWS, FFG, Vienna Business Agency, and regional funding programs offer diverse support<\/li>\n<li><strong>Networks:<\/strong> AustrianStartups, Startup Live, and industry-specific communities connect founders<\/li>\n<li><strong>Strengths:<\/strong> High quality of life, good infrastructure, and access to the DACH market as a springboard<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/mittelstand-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">medium-sized companies<\/a>, startups offer opportunities as innovation partners\u2014through corporate-startup collaborations, <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/open-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">open innovation<\/a>, or strategic investments.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"fehler\">The Most Common Reasons Why Startups Fail<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>No Product-Market Fit:<\/strong> The product does not solve a real problem\u2014the most common reason for failure<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cash Burnout:<\/strong> The money runs out before sustainable revenue flows in<\/li>\n<li><strong>Team Problems:<\/strong> Conflicts within the founding team are among the top three reasons for failure<\/li>\n<li><strong>Premature <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/scaling\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Scaling<\/a>:<\/strong> Growth before product-market fit burns resources<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lack of <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/pricing-strategy\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Pricing Strategy<\/a>:<\/strong> Too low or incorrect pricing model jeopardizes profitability<\/li>\n<li><strong>Market Ignored:<\/strong> No <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/competitive-analysis\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">competitive analysis<\/a> and missing <a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/target-audience-analysis\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">target group analysis<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- CTA Box --><\/p>\n<div style=\"background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f,#2563eb);color:#fff;padding:2rem;border-radius:12px;margin:2rem 0;text-align:center;\">\n<h3 style=\"color:#fff;margin-top:0;\">Are you founding a startup or want to validate your business model?<\/h3>\n<p style=\"font-size:1.1rem;\">We support you from idea validation to scaling\u2014with proven methods and strategic consulting.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/business-model-innovation-services\/\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#fff;color:#1e3a5f;padding:0.75rem 2rem;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none;font-weight:600;margin-top:0.5rem;\">\u2192 Schedule a consultation now<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- FAQ --><\/p>\n<div class=\"faq-section\" itemscope=\"\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\">\n<div>\n<h2 id=\"faq\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n<details itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" style=\"background:#eaecee;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:0.75rem;overflow:hidden;\">\n<summary itemprop=\"name\" style=\"padding:1rem 1.2rem;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;color:#2c3e50;\">When is a company no longer a startup?<\/summary>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"padding:0 1.2rem 1rem;color:#2c3e50;\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p>There is no fixed threshold. Typically, a company loses its startup status when it has found a sustainable business model, operates profitably, and has an established organizational structure. Some define it by age (up to 5\u201310 years) or number of employees.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<details itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" style=\"background:#eaecee;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:0.75rem;overflow:hidden;\">\n<summary itemprop=\"name\" style=\"padding:1rem 1.2rem;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;color:#2c3e50;\">What is the difference between a startup and a scale-up?<\/summary>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"padding:0 1.2rem 1rem;color:#2c3e50;\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p>A startup is still searching for the right business model (search phase). A scale-up has found product-market fit and focuses on rapid growth (execute phase). Scale-ups typically already have significant revenue and a growing team.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<details itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" style=\"background:#eaecee;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:0.75rem;overflow:hidden;\">\n<summary itemprop=\"name\" style=\"padding:1rem 1.2rem;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;color:#2c3e50;\">What funding is available for startups in Austria?<\/summary>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"padding:0 1.2rem 1rem;color:#2c3e50;\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p>The main funding agencies are: AWS (Preseed, Seedfinancing), FFG (basic programs, COMET), Vienna Business Agency, and regional funding programs. In addition, there are EU programs such as Horizon Europe and the EIC Accelerator. An overview is provided by the AWS funding database.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<details itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\" style=\"background:#eaecee;border-radius:8px;margin-bottom:0.75rem;overflow:hidden;\">\n<summary itemprop=\"name\" style=\"padding:1rem 1.2rem;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;color:#2c3e50;\">Does every startup need venture capital?<\/summary>\n<div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"padding:0 1.2rem 1rem;color:#2c3e50;\">\n<div itemprop=\"text\">\n<p>No. Bootstrapping\u2014growth from own revenue\u2014is a valid alternative. VC is suitable for startups with high capital requirements and blitzscaling potential. Many successful companies grow more profitably and sustainably without external investors.   <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<details style=\"background:#eaecee;border-radius:8px;padding:0;margin-bottom:0.75rem;\">\n<summary style=\"padding:1rem 1.2rem;font-weight:600;cursor:pointer;color:#2c3e50;list-style:none;\">What is the average startup failure rate and main causes?<\/summary>\n<div style=\"padding:0 1.2rem 1rem 1.2rem;\">Approximately 90% of startups fail, with 10% failing in the first year and 70% within years 2-5. The top reasons are no market need (42%), running out of cash (29%), wrong team (23%), and getting outcompeted (19%). Interestingly, most failures aren&#39;t due to bad products but poor product-market fit and premature scaling. Startups that rigorously validate customer demand before building, maintain financial discipline, and iterate based on market feedback have significantly higher survival rates around 40-50%.<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- Verwandte Begriffe --><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top:2.5em;padding-top:1.5em;border-top:1px solid #e2e8f0;\">\n<strong>Related terms:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;margin-top:0.5rem;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/lean-startup\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Lean Startup<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/product-market-fit\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Product-Market Fit<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/scaling\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Scaling<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/venture-building\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Venture Building<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/pitch-deck\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Pitch Deck<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/glossar\/geschaeftsmodell-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Business Model Innovation<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/business-model-canvas\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Business Model Canvas<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/agile-methods\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Agile Methods<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/disruptive-innovation\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">Disruptive Innovation<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/glossary\/okr-objectives-and-key-results-2\/\" style=\"color:#1a5276;text-decoration:none;\">OKR<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Further reading Innovation Process: 5 Phases for Successful Innovation Business Model Canvas: Guide &amp; Examples for SMEs Digital Transformation for SMEs: A Guide Key points at a glance: A startup&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":24529,"parent":25140,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25672","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Point-of-New-Business-Model-Innovation-Benedikt-Hasibeder-scaled.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25672"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":28307,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25672\/revisions\/28307"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25140"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/24529"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pointofnew.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}