Date of Award

Fall 2024

Degree Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Information Systems and Technology, PhD

Program

Center for Information Systems and Technology

Advisor/Supervisor/Committee Chair

Wallace Chipidza

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

June Hilton

Dissertation or Thesis Committee Member

Jeho Park

Terms of Use & License Information

Terms of Use for work posted in Scholarship@Claremont.

Rights Information

© 2024 Cindy Cheng

Keywords

entrepreneur, online reputation, social capital, social media platforms, startup funding, venture capitalist

Abstract

The significance of social networks facilitating startup success is undeniable in the modern startup landscape, characterized by rapid digitalization and an increasing emphasis on connectivity. This dissertation study assumes that a startup company's social network is critical in acquiring funding and promoting business growth. By combining social media data from LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with financial performance indicators from the Crunchbase database, this study aims to uncover patterns and attributes of social media networks that correlate with successful startup funding. Central to this research is the concept of social capital, defined as the aggregate value of all social networks and the benefits that arise from these networks. Specifically, this study examines how social capital translates into tangible funding gains for startup companies. This dissertation uses a quantitative research approach to explore the relationship between social media presence and startup funding outcomes. By identifying specific aspects of social network use that are important in securing funding, this research guides startups looking to leverage social media presence for growth and sustainability. The study contributes to the ongoing knowledge advancement regarding startups, digital connections, and the relevance of social networks, offering guidance on how social networks influence funding success for startup companies. Key findings indicate that the last funding amount and the number of investors consistently appear significant predictors of the total funding amount across different data subsets. The presence on multiple social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and X, identified significant predictor variables, including the number of LinkedIn followers, the number of years the Facebook page was active, whether the Facebook page is managed, and whether X likes to play significant roles in determining funding success. These insights underscore the importance of a strategic approach to building and maintaining a solid social media presence for startups seeking to maximize their funding potential.

ISBN

9798346861164

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