An Exploratory Study of the Benefits of Time-bounded Collaborative Events for Startup Founders

Abstract

Time-bounded collaborative events attract people with different backgrounds to work in small teams to develop a project that addresses a particular problem in a very short amount of time. Previous research acknowledges that event participants have the opportunity to learn new things, meet people, and gain recognition, among other benefits. However, there are few studies exploring the relationship between these events and startups. Basically, these studies report that some projects developed during these events result in startups. This paper aims to explore how startup founders benefit from time-bounded events. We used a qualitative exploratory approach to collecting data through semi-structured interviews with 20 startup founders. The benefits cited by the interviewees include the development of new products, raising money, gaining visibility, and identifying opportunities for action, learning and networking. In particular, learning can be divided into many types, including learning about software development and business methodologies, new tools, and soft skills. Networking can benefit startups by allowing them to identify founders, partners, customers, and employees. Our results suggest that participation in time-bounded collaborative events helps startup founders to satisfy some of the needs of their startups. We conclude by presenting recommendations for event organizers.