Four patterns for internal startups
Marko Leppänen, Laura Hokkanen · 2015
In this paper, we describe patterns that are meant for founding internal startups in a larger company. The patterns are part of a larger pattern language for software startup companies. The patterns presented here cover four main parts of an internal startup's life cycle starting from idea creation by enabling innovation with 20% Rule. The second pattern introduces an incubator phase, where the idea is validated to have a sensible problem and solution. This optimally leads to the creation of an internal startup, where resources are allocated to concretize the idea. With restricted resources such as a limited time, the internal startup may find a new Product-Market fit and offer a validated business opportunity for the parent company. This is concluded by the Exit decision by the parent company and ends the internal startup's life cycle.