Baylor University.
The language of early-stage entrepreneurship : strategic communication in venture evaluation contexts.
Abstract
dc:description.abstractEarly-stage ventures must persuade resource holders with limited information and brief interactions, making language a critical yet underexamined factor in entrepreneurial success. This dissertation examines how language complexity, adaptability, and alignment influence investor evaluations in venture competitions. Using computational text analysis and statistical modeling, the study assesses whether clarity improves perceived competence, whether entrepreneurs’ framing of the venture path and direction signals adaptability, and whether linguistic convergence with investors enhances funding outcomes. The findings show that simplified language, strategic narrative framing, and alignment with stakeholder discourse improve evaluations. Language emerges as a strategic asset used to signal legitimacy, reduce perceived risk, and mobilize support. The research offers scalable tools for analyzing entrepreneurial communication and provides a framework for understanding how founders craft messages to align with evaluators and secure early-stage resources.
Degree
thesis:*- Name thesis:degree_name
- Ph.D.
- Level thesis:degree_level
- Doctoral
- Grantor
- Baylor University.
- Year dc:date.issued
- 2025
Author and committee
dc:creator, dc:contributor.*- Author dc:creator
-
- Suárez, Jaime Andres, 1978-
- Advisor dc:contributor.advisor
-
- Klein, Peter G.
Subjects
dc:subject × 9Rights
dc:rights- Statement dc:rights
-
- Baylor University works are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. Contact libraryquestions@baylor.edu for inquiries about permission.
- Language dc:language.iso
- en
Identifiers
dc:identifier.*- Handle dc:identifier.uri
- https://hdl.handle.net/2104/13915
- OAI identifier oai:identifier
- oai:baylor-ir.tdl.org:2104/13915