Question: What is “Startup Culture?”

Posted by: Thom Ruhe on July 22, 2009 Source: e360 Blog

In a report this month from the Kauffman Foundation, entitled "The Anatomy of an Entrepreneur," 66.2 percent of respondents viewed “the appeal of a startup culture” as an important, very important, or extremely important motivation in becoming an entrepreneur.

But what exactly is “startup culture?” Or rather, what does it mean to you?

I'm not as much interested in what survey results and data tell us about a “typical” entrepreneur or entrepreneurial lifestyle – but what do you think of when you picture your image of an entrepreneur? What do you imagine to be the “startup culture” that a full 2/3 of survey respondents listed as being so important?

How common and/or accurate are the stereotypes about our chosen vocation?

Drop your thoughts in the comments - I'm interested to see what sort of picture we can paint of an "entrepreneur," as the community sees it.

43 Comments

Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Neil Callanan said...; Thom,

Start-up culture for me is tied directly to the satisfaction of setting your own direction. I don't know many entrepreneurs who work less that those at traditional jobs, but having the freedom to work on what you choose is a satisfaction that is tough to achieve when your working for others.

The freedom do work when and as much choose is nice and is surely part of the appeal. But more often than not that freedom is more of an ideal than a reality.

-Neil
@9ner
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Matt Joyce said...; This summer I’ve been weighing the decision to attempt to launch a second start-up non-profit or pursue a more standard job after I finish up grad school this spring. More than any other factor, it’s that addiction to start-up culture that’s leading me back toward entrepreneurship.

Here are a few key identifiers I associate with start-up culture:

The merger of work and emotion:
Without a doubt, entrepreneurship becomes inextricably entangled with life in a way that few other vocations can. Start-ups are intensely personal entities that reflect the wisdom, character, and energy of their founder(s). Start-up culture means accepting – and welcoming – a new set of ups and downs into life

The vividness of success and failure:
Similarly, start-up culture brings a kind of intensity that is rare outside of early-stage entrepreneurship. There’s little or no diffusion of guilt when you blow it, and when the success of the enterprise has a direct correlation to your own quality of life, victories taste all the sweeter.

The ability to envision perfection:
For me, more than any other factor, the ability to let the imagination run wild with visions of success, impact, and expansion – and then the opportunity to go pursue those visions is the distinguishing quality of start-up culture. Entrepreneurship is so much about daydreaming what an organization or company could look like if everything goes right. Few other positions give the opportunity to dream big and then go chase success.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Raj said...; 2 words - Financial Freedom!
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Bad Credit Credit Cards said...; Startups can't succeed without taking risks. Given this, the first key is to engender thoughtful risk taking with a lot of transparency. That way everyone knows what the stakes are and the upside vs. downside can be discussed. The second key is not to punish thoughtful risk taking if the risk manifests. People will stop making bets if they feel like mistakes are not allowed. Then? Welcome to blah-ville.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Robert L. Potvin said...; Last July of '08 I decided to take the plunge out of retirement. Social Security a small Aetna Pension and blogging for the Worcester newspaper didn't seem to be enough so I founded "Potvin Gold Exchange" in my hometown of North Brookfield, Massachusetts. It worked! I started buying unwanted scrap gold jewelry and old coins.Coins have been my love since 1955. My auctioneering prowess and experiences give me insight into the gold-buying process. Of course I had to invest thousands in testing equipment, books, etc. I even bought a 52 inch HDTV to access instant financial news. Six weeks ago i relocated to a busy highway nearby. I am known in the community and have waged a massive advertising campaign. It is truly working and should for years to come. I just turned 67 and an one Happy Camper!
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; JENN said...; Well, it's true... Becoming an entrepreneur yourself is a big move.. it takes a lot of courage to pursue this, it takes alot of research, which ive been doing lately... i had to inquire on some seminars that would help me start up.. This is one only event I liked so far.

http://www.entrepreneursworldcup.com/
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Annuities said...; startup culture is quite important. Some people suggest entrepreneur need to take risk, i agree but a foolish risk will lead to an employee. Leaving the job dreaming my own boss is not taking risk rather making your aim worse.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Akshay Bhatt said...; to me start up culture means lots of seen and unseen challanges and courage to conquer them , specially when you are financially not fit.
love
akshay
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Alex Boudreau said...; It's interesting that individuals considering becoming entrepreneurs actually attribute such importance to the "startup culture". Sure, the "culture" may insight more people in starting up their company - just look at Silicon Valley for the IT industry. But at the same time I think we should put more focus on what being an entrepreneur really means rather than on how trendy it is. In my view you become an entrepreneur because you want to achieve great things, and by your own terms. You have your way of thinking and that's how it should be.

Cheers,

Alex

http://alexandreboudreau.com/
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; hampshire wedding photographer said...; For me the benefits are getting things done fast, not having to go to loads of meetings to discuss things. If it feels right then just go ahead and do it.

You don't need layers of management to all put their oar in and months later the go ahead is given. Working for yourself means you can be lean and mean!
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Extreme Colon Cleanser said...; What I find odd and true is that most company founders tend be middle-aged and and well educated and actually did better in high school than in College. When thinking about it seems like i didnt need my college degree to run my business right now because most of my skills I learned elsewhere than in College
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Kymco Agility said...; Becoming an entrepreneur is definitely hard work. You have to be ready to dedicate yourself all day, every day.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Ibrahim said...; I came across this article searching for information on entrepreneurial leadership. I am quiet surprised that the very reason that I am held back in pursuing my ambition to be an entrepreneur is this start-up culture. I dream a lot and even I build huge corporates in my dream. But never had been successful to the point where I can say that I own this business. Anyways the information and comments helped me a lot in rethinking my ambition. Last but not least, I am a first-timer here, but feel that I will be more often here.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; stock photography said...; the ability to let the imagination run wild with visions of success, impact, and expansion – and then the opportunity to go pursue those visions is the distinguishing quality of start-up culture. Entrepreneurship is so much about daydreaming what an organization or company could look like if everything goes right.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Win Online said...; The startup culture is to just go out there and try to get something done. Get off your butt and put something together. If there is a small capital to start it up then you can take risks. The bigger the more you have to plan.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Ratios Financial Analysis said...; Since many startups have fewer employees and less management hierarchy to claw through than more-established companies do, the chance to shoulder new tasks should be a given. But make sure to gain experience that will be useful in the future. An insular "founders' syndrome" can kill a company. Make sure a tight-knit team won't limit the contributions. And remember, startups go through stages.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Yolanda Morales said...; I have gathered information to start my consulting business that provides 1-1 coaching for entrepreneurial professionals in the medical, healthcare and non-profit arenas. I serve on a community based non-profit Board which supports and empowers at -risk citizens to become more self-suffcient and prevents homelessness by engaging social service based partners to provide services which enhance this goal of self-sufficiency. My business goal is for each entrepreneur to marry their business success with philanthropy in either the fields of education and or social services.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Acai Diet said...; The start-up culture is fun, exciting, stressful, demanding, and rewarding. I would much rather be involved in the start-up culture than to sit around all day in a dead end job, waiting to be either promoted to management or laid off. If someone came to me today and tried to promote me to manage I would say: No Thanks!
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; resveratrol reviews said...; Start up culture to me is a risk. Unless you have no responsibilities in life, joining a startup is risky business. It can fall apart at any time, especially if you don't know the executives very well, then you should really be careful. I wouldn't mind being an admin assistant at a startup, but I wouldn't want to be one of the important employees.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; fiona@ Edinburgh Wedding Photographer said...; I love being able to set your own hours and being able to work to the job, not to the clock.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; research papers said...; There are advantages and disadvantages of having a start up. I myself would prefer to create a start up company because I will be the boss and you don't have to follow directions anymore. Anyway the only concern will be the stability of the company. There are only a few startup companies that are able to survive a few years and become successful. I think its up to the owner's dedication on how far the company would go.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; credito rapido said...; Now it´s very difficult to raise money for the star-ups in Europe, only in US is easier. Here in Europe thre isn´t start up culture. May be in the future.
great post
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; fix rrod said...; I think entrepreneurship is not necessarily financial freedom, you can do that with any job with a good monthly budget, there are many risks and challenges with a startup but if you know what you are doing in the end it will be worth it.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; title company toledo said...; Startup companies can come in all forms, including those that are simply life-style companies, but the phrase "startup company" is often associated with high growth, technology oriented companies. Investors are generally most attracted to those new companies distinguished by their risk/reward profile and scalability. That is, they have lower bootstrapping costs, higher risk, and higher potential return on investment.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; SAP Training said...; Start up culture is a way for people to start doing something different that will be merged with the existing culture, it's like starting a new trend that will last forever, it never dies, it could only evolve into something bigger and more influential.

Mike
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Link Building Service said...; All I know Start-up culture means to work your own way.
You can work on your own decision, which make you capitalist or entrepreneur.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; HD Movies said...; @Matt
"This summer I’ve been weighing the decision to attempt to launch a second start-up non-profit or pursue a more standard job after I finish up grad school this spring. More than any other factor, it’s that addiction to start-up culture that’s leading me back toward entrepreneurship. "

You should definitely go the entrepreneurship road! It is just so much more fun! And you don't have to worry about people breathin down your back about if the company actually makes a profit for itself.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; dump truck financing said...; I think Google has a start up culture. They are like the new Apple.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; repossessed cars for sale in california said...; It seems like a lot of that dotcom startup culture has gone by the way side. People are looking for security today.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Dheen said...; The think of image of entrepreneur gives me an idea. success will be achieved by great anatomy of an entrepreneur. The entrepreneur is all about mindset. Mindset about our goal, achievement, and also attitude. Eager to take a risk is important to have of an entrepreneur.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Guarana Weight Loss said...; proceed cautiously and put in whatever you can
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Free Microsoft Points said...; I see that a lot of people trying to become entrepreneurs avoid taking risks which is perfectly fine but I believe taking risks will return huge rewards. People hardly ever even take the slightest risk too.

Whenever I think of an entrepreneur I think of spending several hours in front of the computer. I am not entirely sure what this start up culture is but heres my view on it:

It usually starts with an inspiration of an idea - then it turns to goals - then taking action. Thats my idea of a truly successful entrepreneur.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; 2012 Doomsday Prophecy said...; 1. I want to manage my own time without tied to usual 9 to 5 job hours.
2. I don't want my future too depends on others' hands.
3. Current income here in my country as an employee is too low to be said as satisfactory.
Those 3 are my main motivations to become an internet entrepreneur, a very different path compared to what are my friends taking after graduation.
I hope I've made the right choice :)
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; DigitalWM - Classificados & Hospedagem said...; Startup culture means a risk-averse and punished failure. Success should be considered as the only option.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Income Opportunities said...; Leaving my job and dreaming to be my own boss is not taking risk rather making your aim worse. That way everyone knows what the stakes are and the upside vs. downside can be discussed.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Osadnicy z catanu said...; For me the most important is integrity. Great start-up cultures do not cut corners. They maintain the highest integrity in the way they treat customers, handle employee issues, write code, and go about their daily business. They have integrity when it is easy and, more importantly, when it is hard. This kind of integrity should not be confused with lacking toughness. Integrity in this sense means having a team with enough confidence in what it is building, and then delivering to customers, that cheating in any form, or even just going halfway, is unacceptable.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Proforma said...; Start-up culture deals with the freedom of doing your own business. But I don't think it means doing what you want and you like. A good start-up culture of a start-up company should consist of a strong team work, and a unique product or service. In building a strong teamwork, you will have to listen to other people's opinions.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Ucler Treatment said...; I completely understand wanting to live and work according to your own style. However, being your own boss is sometimes more work than a regular job.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; <a href="http://www.professays.com/" class="url fn">custom papers</a> said...; Start up culture for me is ability to generate great ideas and set up points of success.
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; Forex Trading said...; Start-up culture deals with the freedom of doing your own business. But I don't think it means doing what you want and you like.

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Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; wedding photographer said...; A start up culture is one that nurtures people in the formative years of beginning a business. Some will rise others fail, but all need a little hand holding
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; forex signals said...; this culture for me associates with the direct line in following and pursuing the goals you set before starting and not leaving it half-way done. http://www.fxian.com
Re: Question What is Startup Culture: July 31, 2010 @ 12:00 AM; <a href="http://shoulder.holstersreviewed.com/alessi-holsters-fieldmaster-shoulder-holster/">Fieldmaster</a> said...; I think that startup culture is a misnomer. I started up my business a long time ago and didn't need any of the fancy-schmancy things into consideration. It seems like all that stuff primarily applies to medium-sized businesses. Small businesses don't even get involved with that stuff. SB owners roll up their sleeves and "get it done".

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