A Maturity Assessment for Swiss Start-ups in the Scaling Phase

Realizing platform-based start-up consulting

Schwab, Svenja Lara, 2024

Art der Arbeit Master Thesis
Auftraggebende
Betreuende Dozierende Gatziu Grivas, Stella
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The Swiss start-up ecosystem is known for its innovative environment and strong support systems, yet 50% of Swiss start-ups fail during the scaling phase. Their complex challenges necessitate a comprehensive understanding of both the ecosystem and existing tools like the ABILI-platform, which assists companies in their digital transformation and strategy formulation. This study aims to develop a maturity assessment tailored to Swiss start-ups in the scaling phase. Based on the existing ABILI-platform, the assessment seeks to identify and categorize these start-ups' challenges and provide a structured approach to overcoming them, thereby enhancing their chances of success.
The research follows a design science methodology involving both desk and field research. Key methods include a systematic literature review, expert interviews with start-up founders, and online feedback from start-up coaches. The developed tool is then tested through a pilot project with a Swiss start-up, eligamo AG, to evaluate its practical applicability and effectiveness.
The study has successfully identified critical challenges across five areas: market, strategy, finance, organization, and culture. The developed maturity assessment, implemented on the existing ABILI-platform and refined based on feedback from start-up ecosystem participants, has proven its worth. The pilot project with eligamo AG demonstrated that the tool provides valuable insights and practical guidance for start-ups, enabling them to align internally, prioritize strategies, and manage resources more effectively. Future research should focus on continuously identifying new challenges and improving the usability and design of the ABILI-platform, such as adding progress indicators and tailoring questions based on start-up profiles.
Studiengang: Business Information Systems (Master)
Keywords Start-Up, Lifecycle, Scaling, Challenges, Switzerland, Innovation, Maturity Model, Maturity Assessment, Assessment Platform, abiliCor
Vertraulichkeit: öffentlich
Art der Arbeit
Master Thesis
Autorinnen und Autoren
Schwab, Svenja Lara
Betreuende Dozierende
Gatziu Grivas, Stella
Publikationsjahr
2024
Sprache der Arbeit
Englisch
Vertraulichkeit
öffentlich
Studiengang
Business Information Systems (Master)
Standort Studiengang
Olten
Keywords
Start-Up, Lifecycle, Scaling, Challenges, Switzerland, Innovation, Maturity Model, Maturity Assessment, Assessment Platform, abiliCor