Why Do Startups Really Succeed (or Fail)?

Over the years, a lot of research has tried to crack the code behind startup success. Is it the idea? The team? Timing? Funding? Turns out, it’s a mix—but not always the mix you'd expect.

One of the most cited pieces comes from Bill Gross, founder of Idealab. He studied hundreds of startups and concluded that timing was the single biggest factor in success—more than the idea itself, the team, or even funding. Surprising? Maybe not, when you think about companies like Airbnb launching during a recession when people needed extra cash, or Uber entering just as smartphones and GPS tech hit critical mass.

On the other hand, the Startup Genome Project found that premature scaling—growing too fast without solid product-market fit—was a leading cause of failure. Basically: building before you're ready can break you.

There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but the research gives us useful signals. Execution, adaptability, and understanding the market deeply still go a long way.

Curious to hear: what do you think makes or breaks a startup?