Insights

Most people think startup success is a mix of "grind" and "luck." But recent longitudinal research from institutions like MIT Sloan , Columbia Business School , and NBER  reveals a much more nuanced—and sometimes surprising—formula for what actually drives a venture forward. Here’s a breakdown of the evidence-based factors behind entrepreneurial outcomes: Founding Structure: The Solo vs. Team Paradox We often hear that "two heads are better than one," but the data suggests a

Family Offices are increasingly pushing into direct Venture Capital as they seek to reduce fees, gain transparency, and exert more control. With nearly 45% of FO portfolios already in alternatives and 63% engaging in direct deals, the momentum is undeniable. But control comes at a cost. Many Family Offices underestimate how intensely institutional VC really is. The challenges are predictable—and avoidable: 🔹 The Power Law Problem VC returns are non-linear. A handful of start

Why So Many PE Roll-Ups Fail Despite the Hype Buy-and-Build (B&B) and roll-up strategies are among the most popular playbooks in private equity.  On paper, they look irresistible: acquire, integrate, scale — and exit at a higher multiple. But research shows a stark truth: over two-thirds of roll-ups fail to create value, often returning less than 1.0x MOIC. So why do so many promising strategies falter in execution? The data tells a clear story:  👉 The biggest drivers of suc