Compass

Startup Genome operates as a policy advisory and research firm dedicated to fostering the growth of startup ecosystems globally. The company was founded in 2016 by Jean-Francois (JF) Gauthier, Marc Penzel, and Shane Reiser, and is headquartered in San Francisco. The firm's leadership team brings together diverse backgrounds in entrepreneurship, data science, and public policy to support its mission.

The company's core business revolves around providing data-driven insights and strategic guidance to public and private organizations. Its clients are primarily governments and public-private partnerships aiming to accelerate the success of their local startup communities. Startup Genome generates revenue by offering advisory services, in-depth ecosystem assessments, and access to its extensive research, including its flagship annual publication, the Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER). This report analyzes data from millions of companies across hundreds of ecosystems to provide rankings and identify key trends.

The firm's primary service involves conducting comprehensive, data-centric assessments of startup ecosystems to provide benchmarking and strategic recommendations. This allows clients to understand their strengths and weaknesses relative to other global hubs. Furthermore, Startup Genome designs and helps implement policies and programs focused on driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth. For high-growth startups within these ecosystems, the company offers 'Hypergrowth Programs' designed to accelerate international commercialization through mentorship and targeted support. The firm’s research on what drives startup performance has been instrumental since its early days as the Startup Genome Project, which identified premature scaling as a primary reason for startup failure.

Keywords: startup ecosystem development, policy advisory, innovation research, economic growth strategy, public-private partnerships, global startup report, ecosystem assessment, data-driven policy, entrepreneurship support, innovation policy, startup benchmarking, economic development consulting, job creation initiatives, tech ecosystem analysis, venture capital trends, government innovation programs, scaleup programs, international commercialization, data insights, startup community building