Abstract: By using non-parametric method, semi-parametric method, life-table method, and Cox proportion hazards model, the small start business in the east region of China are analyzed. With the data analysis, the life-tables of small start businesses stratified by education and gender are depicted. Through modeling the covariats affected new venture survival, a general two stratified Cox proportion hazard model is put forward, and it is found that the education level has significant influence on the survial of small start business. Then the diagnosis supported by the scaled Schoenfeld residuals to the assumption of Cox proportion hazards model indicates that it is appropriate to fit this model into the survival of the small start business.

Key words: small start business , survival analysis , Cox proportion hazards model , martingale residual , Schoenfeld residual