The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Startup Funding in Silicon Valley

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Data and Method
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Reference List
• Appendix A
• Appendix B
• Appendix C
• Appendix D
• Appendix E
• Appendix F

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis investigates the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on startup funding activity in Silicon Valley. It aims to determine whether there has been a structural change in venture capital activity in the region during the pandemic. The study uses a time series analysis approach to analyze data from Crunchbase, a large public database of companies, for the period between 2016 and 2020.

• The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Silicon Valley's startup funding activity.
• The role of venture capital in startup success.
• The challenges faced by startups in Silicon Valley, including high living costs and business expenses.
• The potential for changes in venture capital activity and the impact on startups.
• The importance of entrepreneurial ecosystems for startup growth and success.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This chapter introduces the concept of startup ecosystems and their importance in fostering innovation and growth. It focuses on Silicon Valley as a leading example, highlighting its role as a hub for venture capital and successful startups. The chapter also discusses the challenges faced by Silicon Valley, including high living costs and business expenses, and raises the question of whether the region remains attractive to startups in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Literature Review: This chapter reviews the existing literature on startup ecosystems, venture capital, and the impact of pandemics on businesses. It identifies key factors that contribute to successful startup ecosystems and explores the role of venture capital in supporting startup growth. The chapter also examines previous research on the impact of economic crises on entrepreneurial activity.
• Data and Method: This chapter describes the data sources and methodologies used in the study. The chapter explains the selection of Crunchbase as the primary data source and details the time series analysis approach used to examine changes in venture capital activity in Silicon Valley.
• Results: This chapter presents the results of the time series analysis, focusing on the overall trends in startup funding activity in Silicon Valley and the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter examines the data for any evidence of structural changes in venture capital activity.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The primary focus of this research is on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on startup funding activity in Silicon Valley. This includes exploring themes such as venture capital, entrepreneurial ecosystems, startup success, and time series analysis. The research utilizes a large public database, Crunchbase, to gather data on startup funding rounds. Key concepts explored in the study include structural change, economic impact, and the role of funding in startup growth. The study also considers the challenges faced by startups, including high living costs and business expenses, and explores the potential for changes in the Silicon Valley ecosystem due to the pandemic.