From a question to a movement.

In 2016, we asked a simple question: why do 90% of startups fail at problems that are entirely preventable? The answer became a framework, a platform, and a mission.

A question that became infrastructure.

What started as an observation in 2016 became a five-year, $500,000 research project. Gregory Shepard interviewed 4,867 accelerators, 2,200+ founders, 1,100 investors, and 100 global corporations to understand why startups fail at problems that are entirely preventable.

The findings were clear: founders lack lifecycle-timed knowledge, and the support networks around them are fragmented. Every tool works in isolation. No one sees the full picture.

That research became The Startup Lifecycle — a seven-phase framework published by BenBella Books and sponsored by the Fulbright Program. And the framework became Startup Science — a platform built to unify the entire startup ecosystem into one operating system.
2016
Research Begins
Gregory Shepard funds a five-year research project to understand why startups fail. Over 8,000 interviews across the global ecosystem.
2021
Research Completed
After years of rigorous exploration and meticulous data analysis, our journey culminated in 2021. We uncovered the underlying causes of why so many startups faltered—from flawed processes to inadequate support—and meticulously documented every insight. This phase of our endeavor was not just a study; it was a mission to empower founders by revealing the challenges that had long been overlooked.

The completion of our research marks the beginning of a new chapter. With a treasure trove of actionable insights, proven methodologies, and essential frameworks at our disposal, we're now fully equipped to guide entrepreneurs towards success. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to transforming the startup landscape, ensuring that lessons learned from the past pave the way for a brighter, more resilient future for all founders.
Two root causes identified: founders lack lifecycle-timed knowledge, and support networks are fragmented. The findings become the Startup Lifecycle framework.
2022
Platform Development Begins
StartupScience.IO took its next big step—moving from concept to real-world application through a pilot program with the sunny University of California, San Diego (UCSD). As one of the nation's top innovation hubs, UCSD provided the perfect environment to test the platform with emerging founders eager to validate their ideas and accelerate their journeys.

This pilot marked the beginning of hands-on collaboration with academic institutions, giving students and early-stage founders access to StartupScience.IO’s full suite of tools and content. The results? Immediate feedback, rapid iteration, and a clear signal that we were building something truly impactful. It was more than a pilot—it was the start of our mission in motion.
Development starts on the Startup Science platform — a multi-tenant SaaS operating system designed to unify the entire startup ecosystem based on the research findings.
 2023
First Partnerships Signed
After months of feedback from early users and partners like UCSD, we launched the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) of StartupScience.IO in January 2023. This marked a major milestone—transforming our vision into a fully functional platform that founders could use to validate ideas, build smarter, and avoid common pitfalls.

The MVP included our core learning modules, startup tools, and a guided journey through the most critical phases of the startup lifecycle. It was lean, fast, and built to learn—just like the startups we serve. Most importantly, it proved that our research-driven approach could deliver real value to real founders, in real time.
Startup Science partners with Fulbright Canada and Alacrity Canada to build the Fulbright Entrepreneurship Initiative. Angel Capital Association and Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization join as ecosystem partners.
 2024
StartupScience.IO V1.0
We launched the first official version of our platform—V1.0. This release was the result of continuous iteration, user feedback, and a clear mission: to create a powerful, intuitive system that helps founders stay grounded while building toward something great.

V1.0 introduced a more refined user experience, smarter startup workflows, and a growing library of founder-focused tools and content. It wasn’t just a product update—it was a shift in momentum. With this V1.0, StartupScience.IO evolved from MVP to a scalable platform designed to support, accelerate, and empower the journey of every founder who logs in.
Fulbright Entrepreneurship Initiative initial cohort launched in Canada and the US
We partnered with Fulbright Canada to launch the Fulbright Entrepreneur Initiative—a bold step toward bridging global innovation with world-class education. This initiative was designed to empower the next generation of international changemakers by combining Fulbright’s prestigious academic network with StartupScience.IO’s practical, founder-first tools.

Together, we created a program that provides cross-border mentorship, hands-on startup training, and access to a growing ecosystem of experts, founders, and investors. It marked a turning point—not just for StartupScience.IO, but for the future of entrepreneurship education. The Fulbright Entrepreneur Initiative is where global talent meets startup science.
The Startup Lifecycle Book Published
After years of research, writing, and real-world testing, The Startup Lifecycle was officially published in September 2024. What began as a collection of insights and frameworks evolved into a comprehensive guide for founders navigating the unpredictable path of building a startup.

Written by Greg, and shaped by hundreds of conversations with entrepreneurs, educators, and investors, the book brings clarity to the often chaotic startup journey. With its practical models, founder-tested advice, and a tone grounded in real experience, The Startup Lifecycle is more than a book—it’s a roadmap for anyone ready to build with purpose and avoid the traps that cause most startups to fail.
StartupScience.IO V2.0
We launched StartupScience 2.0, a major evolution of the platform shaped by months of real user feedback and founder insights. Built to scale alongside the startups it serves, this version introduced a more powerful, intuitive experience that reflects how founders actually build today.

With smarter workflows, deeper customization, and enhanced collaboration tools, V2.0 marked the beginning of a new era for StartupScience.IO. It wasn’t just an upgrade—it was a leap forward. Guided by our users, we turned feedback into features and friction into flow—delivering a version of the platform that feels as dynamic as the founders who use it.
 2025
Startup Stack Acquired
Startup Stack — a 10,000+ founder community with $4M+ in marketplace deals — is acquired and becomes the Marketplace module inside Startup Science. First of 20+ planned acquisitions.
Scaling Globally
150+ ESOs, 88,000+ startups, 40+ countries. Startup Benefits acquired, adding hundreds of thousands of grants, software deals, and investor records.

Here We Are Together!
Guided by customer feedback and our commitment to innovation, our future releases will enhance and streamline the StartupScience.IO experience. Stay tuned for exciting updates that continue to evolve our platform for the benefit of every founder.