16
tartup Ireland Survey 2015 Startup Ireland Survey An Amárach Research Briefing November 2015

2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

1Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Startup Ireland SurveyAn Amárach Research Briefing

November 2015

Page 2: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

2Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Background & Methodology

This is the second year of the Startup Ireland survey, conducted in partnership with Amárach.

Last year, 295 startups participated in the survey, this year we’ve had a total of 417 participants: 92% of this year’s respondents are owner/founders of their businesses.

The survey was completed online, via a link sent to members of Startup Ireland, and via partners in incubators and on social media.

This report summarises the main findings, including comparisons with last year’s survey, and identifies key trends shaping the future of the startup sector in Ireland.

Page 3: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

Startup Profile

Page 4: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

4Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Starting to Change

This year saw a significant increase in the share of female startups in the total sample

We have seen a sharp increase in the share of startups run by people aged over 35

There has been no significant change in the share of startups run by non-Irish nationals.

Gender 2014 2015Male 79 69Female 21 31

Age 2014 2015Under 35 44 30Over 35 56 70

Nationality 2014 2015Irish 85 86

Other Nationality 15 14

Page 5: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

5Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Repeat Entrepreneurs

Most startups are headed by people who are running a startup for the first time, and the share has increased slightly this year

There has been an increase in the share of startups in our survey who have been in operation for 1-3 years, suggesting that more are surviving and moving into the next stage of operation.

Startup Stage 2014 2015Ideation/pre-startup 31 31

Started less than 1 year ago 33 27

Started less than 3 years ago 36 42

First Timers 2014 2015My first startup 54 57

Involved in startup before 46 43

Page 6: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

6Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Sectoral Shift

The sectoral focus of Irish startups remains concentrated in consumer/internet and business/enterprise products and services, while there has been an increase (from a small base) in life science/biotech focused startups.

The startup sector has become slightly more polarised in terms of its location profile: the share of those working from home has gone up as has the share in rented offices.

Sectoral Focus 2014 2015Consumer/internet 46 38

Mobile/app 25 21Business/enterprise 45 43Cleantech/energy 5 5Life Science/biotech 4 10

Hardware 5 5

Location 2014 2015At home 40 49

In incubation space 17 14

On incubation/ acceleration programme

18 10

In rented offices 25 27

Page 7: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

Startup Experiences

Page 8: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

8Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Inspiration

Most entrepreneurs are inspired to start their business because of their own direct experience of a problem and related work experience

Research and other sources of inspiration tend to be less relevant in identifying ideas for potential startups.

Sources of Ideas* 2015From direct experience of the problem 48

From personal work experience in the area 42

From a discussion with a friend 16

From my research/masters/PhD 9From something I read 7

* Not asked in 2014; multiple response allowed

Page 9: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

9Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Pressure Points

There has been relatively little change in the order of pressures on startups, though the % experiencing problems accessing scaling supports has risen significantly

Access to suitable co-working/incuba-

tion space

Access to early stage funding

Access to staffing talent

Access to scaling supports to grow my

startup

Access to business management skills

Engagement with state enterprise

supports

Securing of early customer sales

45%

78%

69% 72%

36%

48%

60%

45%

79%71%

81%

37%

52%

63%

2014 2015

% of Startups finding each experience extremely or fairly difficult*

* Excluding those to whom it is not applicable

Page 10: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

10Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Support Experience – I

Just over half of startups feel they have adequate access to startup support networks that are easily accessible – a large minority do not

Over 4 in 10 startups received mentoring through state or voluntary initiatives such as Office Hours, though nearly half did not.

Moreover, 7 in 10 startup owner/founders in our survey said they would be willing to volunteer time to help other entrepreneurs.

Adequate Access to Support Networks* 2015

Yes 52No 40

Not relevant 8

Received Mentoring e.g.: ‘Office Hours’* 2015

Yes 41No 48Not relevant 11

* Not asked in 2014

Page 11: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

11Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Support Experience – II

Nearly 3 in 10 startups have availed of R&D supports such as innovation vouchers or Innovation Partnerships in building their startups

But only 1 in 10 has availed of supports from large corporates when building their startups.

Availed of R&D Supports e.g.: Voucher 2015

Yes 29No 58

Not relevant 13

Availed of Supports from Large Corporates 2015

Yes 11No 76Not relevant 13

Page 12: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

12Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Intellectual Property

There has been a modest though encouraging improvement in the share of startups who have developed or acquired patents, trade marks or other intellectual property in the course of starting up their business

Nevertheless, the fact remains that a large majority of startups have not developed any significant IP in their business.

Type of IP* 2014 2015

Patents 16 18

Trade Marks 23 25

None 67 64

* Multiple response allowed

Page 13: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

Startup Nation

Page 14: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

14Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Ireland becoming a global hub for startups by 2020 will help your business

There is a strong network of formal and informal supports available to your startup in your area

The startup sector is as well represented nationally as other business sectors are by the Chambers of

Commerce, SFA & ISME

Sufficient action is being taken to make your locality a hub for startups

The Irish startup sector is operating at its full potential

78%

68%

53%

47%

21%

22%

32%

47%

53%

79%

Disagree Agree

The vast majority of Irish startups do not think that their sector is operating to its full potential yet, and just as many think it will be good if Ireland becomes a global startup hub*:

* Excluding don’t knows

State of the Startup Nation

Page 15: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

15Startup Ireland Survey 2015

Summary

The 2015 Startup Ireland survey of Irish startups points to a number of very positive trends: including higher participation for women and younger adults

There are also signs of improvement in terms of building intellectual capital in startups, and a sizeable minority are benefiting from R&D grants

However, there is little room for complacency given the growing frustration with funding for expansion (beyond very early stage finance), and this will require urgent attention if Ireland is achieve our ambitions for the startup future.

Page 16: 2015 National Startup Startup by Startup Ireland with Amarach Research

e. [email protected]. www.amarach.com

b. www.amarach.com/blogt. twitter.com/AmarachResearch