Sonia Allinson-Penny

Human Factors Behind Start-Up Success

With 70% of start-ups failing—and 80% of these failures attributed to people—this book delves into one of the most overlooked yet critical aspects of venture success: the human factor. It introduces a proven methodology for evaluating co-founders and the wider employee base of scaling companies during the due diligence process (DD). Aimed at investors, founders, due diligence providers and HR practitioners, it goes beyond theory, sharing practical guidance and case studies on assessing and managing team dynamics, while navigating the subtle power imbalances in investment contexts. Readers will learn about the “Human Factor Health Check” (HFHC), a robust methodology that integrates standard industry practices, while setting new benchmarks for evaluating start-up teams. Having expanded internationally with a multi-lingual team, the Human Factor Health Check assessment methodology has received consistent praise from investors and start-up CEOs alike. This book aims to become a go-to resource for cracking the human side of start-up success, inspiring professionalism and delivering actionable insights for stakeholders.