A startup is not unlike a hero's journey; there's a vision or goal, and a journey filled with obstacles. Just as the hero's story has archetypal patterns, successful startups share the same outline. I.e., there is a true and repeatable path that eliminates or mitigates the most egregious risks and allows the company to grow into a large, successful enterprise. Not only that, but the successful path is nearly completely different from traditional "Product Development" processes and methodologies; Steve Blank calls this path "Customer Development". This book describes the "Customer Development" model.
Essentially, the criteria for success is simple: products developed with constant contact with customers win; products that aren't, lose.