When Businesses Test Hypotheses: A Four-step Approach to Risk Management for Innovative Startups

In the ever-evolving landscape of startups, risks and opportunities draw in creative and entrepreneurial individuals who strive to realise their visions. While much of this occurs concealed from the gaze of the public, innovation has transformed from an enigmatic black box into a predictable and manageable process―provided one possesses the right tools and knows where to look and what actions to take.

The method presented here for evaluating and managing startup risks is geared towards the uncertain world of innovative startups and enables entrepreneurs and investors to navigate it more confidently. The book focuses on the initial stages of startup creation all the way through to implementation and marketing. It adopts an incremental delivery perspective, underscoring the importance of understanding the intricate processes of bringing an innovative idea to fruition. The book also explores broader applications of the proposed Hypothesis Testing Method for the systemic development of innovation-promoting ecosystems and startups in the context of post-war economic recovery.

This guide will be invaluable to practitioners seeking to navigate the complexities of innovation, harnessing the potential of cutting-edge startups, and contributing to the resurgence of economies emerging from the aftermath of armed conflict.

Dr Dmytro Shestakov studied Executive Business Administration at London Business School and Finance at Kmbs. With over 17 years of experience in Deeptech, Fintech, Edutech, Foodtech, Deftech, and Cybersecurity, he is currently a Partner and Chief of Product at the ScienceTech startup ReviewerRcedits.com as well as an expert for the Ukrainian Startup Fund. Previously, Shestakov held a professorship at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and worked with innovation centres like DARPA (USA) and DRDO (India). He was also involved in the launch of the biggest innovation park in East-Central Europe UNIT.City and Energy Efficiency Fund of Ukraine. His articles have been published by, among other periodicals, the Journal of Economics and Management Sciences and Business Inform.

Dr Anthony J. Tether is the former Director of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).