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Abstract: This paper compares the needs expressed by digital start-up founders to the factors that contribute to start-up success. Drawing on ten qualitative interviews with founders, it identifies key needs in the following five dimensions: (1) building blocks for growth, (2) entrepreneurial identity and agency, (3) start-up enablement through institutional interfaces, (4) start-up enablement through interpersonal interfaces, and (5) start-up finance and capital access. These needs are compared with success factors identified in prior research. The results show that many founder needs, such as modular learning options, early customer feedback, and financial stability, correspond to success factors. However, other needs, especially those relating to personal identity and emotional strain, are not reflected by success factors. Additionally, some important success strategies-such as innovation strategy, risk planning, and the use of digital technologies-are rarely mentioned by founders. The paper calls for improved support structures that both respond to founder needs and encourage awareness of underrecognized success factors.

Keywords: digital entrepreneurship; founder needs; start-up support; entrepreneurial ecosystems; digital entrepreneurship success; digital entrepreneurship support structures; qualitative study.

1 Introduction

Digital entrepreneurship is recognized globally as a key driver of economic growth and increased employment (European Commission, 2014; Shen, Lindsay and Xu, 2018; Galindo-Martin, Castaño-Martínez and Méndez-Picazo, 2019; GEM, 2023; Olan et al., 2024). Such outcomes are only possible if ventures achieve sustainable profitability by managing the challenges of the start-up process, such as resource constraints, market entry, and business model validation. Digital entrepreneurship relates to ventures that recognize digital information and communication technologies (ICT) as an integral part of entrepreneurial opportunities, in terms of both outcomes and processes (Nambisan, 2017; Steininger, 2019). Despite the great potential of such businesses, a significant proportion fail within a short time after their founding (European Commission. Statistical Office of the European Union., 2023; Statistisches Bundesamt [Destatis], 2024; GEM [Global Entrepreneurship Monitor], 2025). This discrepancy highlights the importance of understanding what digital start-ups require to survive and grow.

The literature offers perspectives on successful digital entrepreneurship as well as insights into founder needs and ecosystem requirements that arc favorable for the development of start-ups. On the one hand, research provides insights into successful digital entrepreneurship (e.g., Berman et al., 2023; Berman, Schallmo and Kraus, 2024; Schulz, Schallmo and Schieder, 2025). This includes research on...

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