This publication-based dissertation covers four independent empirical essays using different methodological approaches that examine the role of social capital, especially networks of supporters in the venture crea-tion process from two perspectives, the financial and the knowledge development perspective. In particular, two of the essays focus on the financing process in crowdinvesting and its stakeholders from the ankles of the entrepreneurs and the investors. The second one also explores the investors’ characteristics, motivations and reactions to signals. Two further essays focus on supporting activities provided by third parties. One analyses the structure of supporters during the founding process and their relationship to the founder by using a novel approach for social capital research. The other essay highlights the special role of founder coaches during the first stages of the venture, including modelling five functional roles. It also analyses the quality of the relationship between founder and coach as well as its challenges. The data highlight that high quality networks and thus its social capital can be strategically created for the benefit of the founder during the venture development process. New insights coming from this thesis advance the current discussion on social capital by expanding it to recent phenomena in entrepreneurship of highly practical nature.:1 Introduction 1.1 Theoretical Foundations of Social Capital 1.2 Perspectives of Social Capital in Management Support 1.2.1 Essay 1: Using Repertory Grid Technique to Explore the Relationship Between Business Founders and Support Agents 1.2.2 Essay 2: Supporting fledgling entrepreneurs through founder coaching in Germany 1.3 PART II Perspectives of Social Capital in Crowdinvesting 1.3.1 Essay 3: The Financing Process of Equity-Based Crowdfunding: An Empirical Analysis 1.3.2 Essay 4: What motivates crowdinvestors? An empirical analysis of investors’ motivation and decision making in equity-based crowdfunding campaigns 1.4 Methodological Considerations 1.5 Conclusion 1.6 Implications for Academia and Practice 1.7 References 2 Essay 1: Using repertory grid technique to explore the relationship between business founders and support agents 3 Essay 2: Supporting fledgling entrepreneurs through founder coaching in Germany 4 Essay 3: The financing process of equity-based crowdfunding - an empirical analysis 5 Essay 4: What motivates crowdinvestors? An empirical analysis of investors’ motivation and decision making in equity-based crowdfunding campaigns