2026-09-20T07:52:59Zhttps://dspace.mit.edu/server/oai/requestoai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/627752026-06-06T01:05:05Zcom_1721.1_7582com_1721.1_7581col_1721.1_131023
Michael A. M. Davies.
Stalder, Carrie L
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
n-us-ma
2011-05-09T15:33:39Z
2011-05-09T15:33:39Z
2010
2010
http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/62775
718752409
Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2010.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references.
Boston, specifically Kendall Square, has a high concentration of technology startups. This concentration provides the opportunity to study the connection between the founding conditions and the outcome of the entrepreneurial effort in a relatively controlled environment. Through case studies including deep research and founder interviews we explore the role of people and places in the founding of four Cambridge technology start-ups. The findings indicate maturity of ideation, team size, experience - in startups in general and in the specific sector, understanding of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, passion for the mission and ability to communicate are key factors in the success of a startup. Connectors - people and places - are best engaged to assist in completing a founding team who have a defined focus and to provide investor leads to a founding team post-ideation, but founders with the ability to make first-degree connections may be more successful than those who use connectors.
by Carrie L. Stalder.
S.M. in Engineering and Management
38 p.
eng
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M.I.T. theses are protected by
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http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582
Engineering Systems Division.
People and places : an exploration of Boston start-up formation
Exploration of Boston start-up formation
Thesis
application/pdf
Publication
unknown
unknown
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<Abstract>Boston, specifically Kendall Square, has a high concentration of technology startups. This concentration provides the opportunity to study the connection between the founding conditions and the outcome of the entrepreneurial effort in a relatively controlled environment. Through case studies including deep research and founder interviews we explore the role of people and places in the founding of four Cambridge technology start-ups. The findings indicate maturity of ideation, team size, experience - in startups in general and in the specific sector, understanding of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, passion for the mission and ability to communicate are key factors in the success of a startup. Connectors - people and places - are best engaged to assist in completing a founding team who have a defined focus and to provide investor leads to a founding team post-ideation, but founders with the ability to make first-degree connections may be more successful than those who use connectors.</Abstract>
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