The flexibility of remote work drives a surge in startups, UNC research shows | Opinion

"Remote work became a lifeline for businesses during the pandemic. For startups, however, it was far more than a temporary fix-it was a launchpad. A groundbreaking study from scholars at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and New York University reveals how remote work has fueled greater productivity, revenue growth, and innovation, particularly for startups that have embraced its potential."

"Before the pandemic, U.S. business formation was in a decades-long decline, raising concerns about stagnating economic dynamism. Then came 2020, and the trend reversed dramatically. From 2020 to 2022, startups surged to life, driven by the opportunities of remote work. Freed from the limitations of local hiring, remote-first models enabled startups to recruit talent nationally and globally, scaling their operations at unprecedented rates. This shift democratized entrepreneurship, allowing innovation to flourish in regions like the Sunbelt, historically overlooked by investors and top talent alike."

"The study found that remote startups experienced a 46% increase in productivity, measured through GitHub contributions that track the meaningful work of tech employees. By focusing on results rather than hours, these companies demonstrated that remote work doesn't hinder collaboration but enhances it. The productivity gains are mirrored in revenue growth. According to an analysis by Scoop, a hybrid work management platform, and Boston Consulting Group, companies with fully flexible work policies outperformed their peers in revenue growth by 16 percentage points over"

BuildOps opened a third North American office in downtown Raleigh, reflecting regional startup growth. Remote work served as a lifeline during the pandemic and became a launchpad for startups. A study from UNC-Chapel Hill and NYU found remote-first startups saw greater productivity, revenue growth, and innovation. U.S. business formation reversed from decline beginning in 2020, with startups surging from 2020 to 2022 as firms recruited talent nationally and globally. Remote-first models enabled scaling beyond local labor pools and democratized entrepreneurship across Sunbelt regions. The study measured a 46% productivity increase via GitHub contributions, and flexible work firms outpaced peers in revenue growth.

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