  Software start-ups are new companies aiming to launch an innovative product
to mass markets fast with minimal resources. However, most start-ups fail
before realizing their potential. Poor software engineering, among other
factors, could be a significant contributor to the challenges that start-ups
experience. Little is known about the engineering context in start-up
companies. On the surface, start-ups are characterized by uncertainty, high
risk, and minimal resources. However, such a characterization isn't granular
enough to support identification of specific engineering challenges and to
devise start-up-specific engineering practices. The first step toward an
understanding of software engineering in start-ups is the definition of a
Start-Up Context Map - a taxonomy of engineering practices, environment
factors, and goals influencing the engineering process. This map aims to
support further research on the field and serve as an engineering decision
support tool for start-ups. This article is part of a theme issue on Process
Improvement.
