Attributes of technology-based start-up founders

Hong Ran () and Cecilia Mercado ()
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Hong Ran: Chongqing Industry Polytechnic College
Cecilia Mercado: Saint Louis University

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract This research investigates the expression of founder attributes within technology-based start-ups (TBS) in relation to diverse organizational characteristics, including age, size, and industry classification. Through an examination of the alignment between these attributes and the four fundamental dimensions of the founder's attribute framework, this study aims to evaluate the influence of firm age, firm size, and type of industry on the entrepreneurial characteristics of founders. This study explored the entrepreneurial traits of technology-focused start-ups in Chongqing, China, using a quantitative approach. The research involved surveying 240 founders or co-founders of start-ups that had been in operation for 1–20 years, ensuring statistical reliability through Cochran's formula. The data were rigorously analyzed with descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to explore the relationships between various entrepreneurial attributes. The findings reveal that while attributes such as customer orientation and feedback mechanisms consistently emerge as significant, traits like childlike curiosity and founder drive demonstrate lower levels of expression. Moreover, it was determined that firm age, firm size, and industry type exert minimal influence on the manifestation of these attributes, indicating that founder characteristics, including resilience, intellectual adaptability, and problem-solving abilities, are more pivotal to the success of TBS than external determinants. The results underscore the necessity of nurturing particular attributes, such as curiosity and drive, to promote sustained innovation and adaptability, irrespective of the firm's developmental stage or sectoral context. In light of these findings, it is advised that TBS founders participate in developmental initiatives aimed at enhancing these vital qualities, thereby ensuring that their enterprises remain competitive and responsive to the demands of the marketplace.

Keywords: Technology-based start-up; Firm age; Firm type; Type of industry; TBS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1186/s13731-025-00540-6

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