Nearly 30 start-up databases and directories worldwide
SVP has done extensive research on the start-up scene and the possibilities to discover new and existing start-ups worldwide. Nearly 30 startup databases and directories worldwide were identified that allow researching startups and new technologies. Majority of the database providers are located in the US. However, global search is usually offered. The differences lie in the details, namely in the number of start-ups listed and in the level of detail of the information available in each case.
Free start-up databases and directories in particular often have the disadvantage that the information provided is not verified and can be correspondingly unreliable. One advantage, however, is the timeliness of free databases or directories, because new information is included immediately, while paid databases first check the information and thus take time to publish.
Lastly, paid startup databases usually serve venture capital issues in particular, i.e., they store information about the startups that is of little or no relevance for technology scouting or for identifying trends, but is relevant for investors. De facto, there is no one database to identify startups, perform technology scouting or identify trends. Depending on the task, a different start-up database may be relevant, or a start-up directory may be sufficient, or a combination of results from several start-up databases may be required.
And ‘finding’ these start-ups is enormously important for both SMEs and large corporations, because they are drivers for ‘tomorrow’ and providers of ideas for digitization.
According to the KFW Start-up Monitor, in 2016 there were 425 start-ups (opportunity and growth founders) in Germany alone that “might” be part of the start-up scene. Of these, 58 were in turn classified as innovative and 140 as digital founders. Nevertheless, the start-up scene is rather small in international comparison. This becomes apparent when one compares, for example, the 366 early stage investments in 2016 with a total volume of $967 million in Germany with California (2,074 deals with a volume of $13.2 billion) or the UK (669 deals; $2.20 billion)1. So it becomes clear: if you add the international scene, the amount of startups to be discovered each year is large and exciting.
What makes start-ups stand out?
An organization is considered a start-up if it has the following three characteristics: it is younger than five years [#age], large growth is possible within a very short time [#scalability], and the business model is driven by an innovation, which often occurs in the technology or digital area [#innovation]. If startups are successful, they usually raise a lot of investor money and transform into a unicorn. Unicorns are young companies that are not yet listed on the stock exchange, but whose value can reach more than one billion each due to investor participation. Currently, the most famous and also most valuable unicorn is the American ride-sharing company Uber.
As we all know, start-ups and their technologies are both a promise and quickly a threat to one’s own business model. This makes it all the more important to keep an eye on emerging startups and their technological developments, because one or the other will not only be a source of ideas, but also tomorrow’s competitor.
Start-up analyses make it possible to identify new technologies in the context of technology scouting, discover potential disruptive technologies or trends, and find exciting start-up companies in which companies can concretely participate.
SVP partners with companies in technology scouting and identifying startups because
- due to the size of our company, we have expertise in almost a dozen industries, understand their language and recognize possible trends there in advance.
- our experience in desk research and source and database offerings enables us to search and regularly monitor new startups for you worldwide.
- we can find possible partners for you in the start-up industry and recommend which start-up will be a competitor rather than an accomplice.
- we can make an initial assessment of the start-up foundation up to a first direct contact.
SVP is your partner in technology scouting and start-up analysis.
1CB Insights (2017)
