Seventh Annual Report Series Reveals Perspectives from more than 900 Startup Companies Primarily in the US, UK and China
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – March 10, 2016 – Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), bank of the world's most innovative companies and their investors, released its Startup Outlook report today. The report, now in its seventh year, is based on an annual survey of technology and healthcare startups that gauges their perceptions on business conditions, fundraising, hiring and public policy issues. This year's survey included responses from more than 900 executives across the U.S., U.K. and China.
"Year after year, this survey shows us that despite challenges securing talent and funding, or uncertainty in the economy, startup founders and executives remain optimistic and committed to delivering on their mission," said Greg Becker, President and CEO of Silicon Valley Bank.
"While the environment has changed in the first several weeks of the year, we see investors and entrepreneurs taking action to operate in an uncertain market. Entrepreneurs are focusing on profitability, slowing cash burn, and are anticipating a more balanced funding environment. They are considering M&A an even more viable exit strategy. In 2016, access to capital will get harder, but it's not supposed to be easy and there will be opportunities for good companies with good ideas – that is healthy."
Highlights from the U.S. survey follow and are based on 652 responses from primarily private technology companies with fewer than 50 employees and less than $10 million in annual revenue:
Business Conditions
- 64% of startups said they expect 2016 to be better than 2015, an 18 percentage point drop over the last two years
Fundraising
- 82% said the fundraising environment is somewhat or extremely challenging
- 42% of startups expect their next source of funding will come from venture capitalists
- 56% said their realistic long-term goal is to be acquired; 19% said stay private and 17% said complete an IPO
- 82% said the M&A market will stay the same or there will be more acquisitions over the next 12 months
Talent
- 95% said it is challenging to find people with the right skills to grow their business and 17% said recruiting is their biggest challenge
- 50% are hiring for engineering and technical skills
- 46% said the lack of access to talent has inhibited product development and 30% said it has inhibited revenue growth
Women in Tech Leadership
- 66% of startups had no women on their board and 46% had no women in executive positions
- 26% have programs in place to increase the number of women in leadership positions
Policy and Regulation
- Access to talent and cybersecurity are the most important public policy issues affecting these companies
- 23% said US regulations have prompted them to locate facilities or move non-sales operations outside the US
Follow the conversation on Twitter at @SVB_Financial and @SVB_UK with #StartupOutlook.
About Silicon Valley Bank
For more than 30 years, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has helped innovative companies and their investors move bold ideas forward, fast. SVB provides targeted financial services and expertise through its offices in innovation centers around the world. With commercial, international and private banking services, SVB helps address the unique needs of innovators.
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Contacts:
Carrie Merritt
Silicon Valley Bank
503-574-3705
Julia Thompson
Silicon Valley Bank
415-764-4707