The world is changing. With more complex products and services available, shortened life cycles, and shifts in customers behavior due to the increased availability of information, companies needs to explore new capabilities and organizational practices to effectively preserve a competitive advantage through new innovations. A competitive advantage is said to be difficult to create and sustain in today’s markets. Many startups and corporates, are therefore, changing their innovation processes from a traditional linear process to more of an open process. Many scholars have studied this phenomenon from a corporate perspective, leaving a gap in existing literature on how startups are contributing with their innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to the context of open innovation. It is visible that startups are possessing an extensive amount of exploration capabilities, while lacking capabilities related to exploitation. Finding a balance between exploration and exploitation capabilities is an issue for startups due to its limitations of resources. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to distinguish how an innovation hub enables startups with balancing exploration and exploitation capabilities. For this study, the innovation hub of our choosing is Ignite. Based on the literature review and the identified research gaps, the following research question has been formulated to investigate the phenomenon of balancing organizational capabilities from a startup perspective: RQ: How can an innovation hub help startups find a balance between exploration and exploitation capabilities? To properly answer the research question, the chosen research approach was selected as a qualitative research method. The empirical findings were gathered from 11 semi-structured interviews, where nine interviews have been with managers from startups active in Ignite and two interviews with team members from Ignite. In addition to the empirical findings, we developed a proposed framework that explains the whole process of startups being active in Ignite from pre-intervention, addressing challenges related to startups and the reasons why they should engage in being active in an innovation hub, to post-intervention, addressing the possible outcomes received by being active in Ignite. To conclude, this thesis contributes with an understanding on how startups may use a third party, such as Ignite, to get help with the balancing act of exploration and exploitation capabilities. The findings show that the third party is helping the startups with balancing their organizational capabilities in an indirect way. This is done through Ignite’s accurate matchmaking process and their deep understanding about which capabilities the big corporations are looking for, which Ignite gathers from a needs analysis together with the big corporation. From this thesis, startups as well as big corporations, will understand the importance of involving a third party for the purpose of creating and sustaining a competitive advantage by balancing their exploration and exploitation capabilities.

This study investigates the source of financing in Austrian tech startups and aims to identify the main factors that affect the decision making of these firms. In doing so, we aim to contribute to the relatively limited field of research conducted in Europe. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, we implemented a multiple case study method as the research design. For the purpose of this study, a literature review was used that generated a theoretical framework. This framework focuses on capital structure with the main emphasis being on the pecking order theory. Additionally, government financial support is included as a  secondary priority. Together with the theoretical framework, our empirical findings i.e. data from the interviews with six companies, one email response, and two additional secondary data from an Austrian startup publication comprised the basis for our analysis.   Our findings from the sample companies used in this study show that Austrian tech startups use internal funding as an initial source of financing their new venture. When it comes to the order of funding, our findings show that most of the startups used in this study utilized equity as a second source of financing after internal funding and before debt. However, when it comes to the preference of the founders, half preferred a financing order that is inline with the pecking order theory while the remaining half preferred otherwise choosing equity to debt.   From this, three conclusions can be drawn. First, the limited funding options available affect the decision making and preference of the tech startups. Second, founders value the nonfinancial added value they can get from investors both when implementing and preferring a financing option. Third, the future growth potential and the long term strategy of the startups and their founders play a crucial role in the funding option they prefer to finance their venture.   Additionally, when it comes to capital structure, we see that most Austrian tech startups used in this study do not have a set policy. When it comes to Government financial support (GFS), we see that financial support from the government plays a significant role in Austrian tech startup financing.

Why should technology-based startups in the energy sector collaborate? How do they collaborate today? What is the incumbents’ perspective on collaboration with startups? Today these are issues of high interest for the energy sector in Sweden and for other startups in similar industries. This thesis considers the changing dynamics within the Energy sector in Sweden, the potential of innovation through startups, the market potential and barriers that these actors within the industry are facing. It also considers how collaborations and networks serve to seize opportunities and to overcome challenges and barriers faced by the industry today. Opportunity areas identified were: the trends within the industry concerning decentralized generation, the founders’ dedication for their startups, startup’s ability to act fast and flexibly, their technology contribution, and incumbents differentiating themselves through startups in a highly competitive market. Entry barriers identified were a traditional and slow market, dominative national champions, financial, regulatory, lead times, lack of experience, high risk, lack of system context and credibility. Finally strategic networks and collaboration prove to be an essential part for startups to overcome their liabilities and barriers to entry.

In recent years there has been an increased focus on preservation of our environment and natural resources. As a result, in a notably natural resource consuming world, sustainable development has evolved in societies for the conservation of the environment. Even though the term sustainability has become more frequently discussed, the subject remains complex. The aim of the study is to explore how high-profile business incubators in Sweden and the startups they support relate to sustainability, and to understand the conditions for pushing more progressive sustainability agendas, in a country that boasts about its sustainability ambitions. Fourteen in-depth, semi-structured interviews were held with both incubator business developers, startup founders, an expert within the innovation system and a professional investor. This qualitative study analyses different perceptions regarding sustainability and the incubators and startups role within the innovation system in a country that boasts about its sustainability ambitions. The results indicate that there is a demand for stricter institutional pressures, with increased support for entrepreneurs. It also turns out that incubators have room for improvement when it comes to motivational inspiration and behavioural changes for their tenants. However, they show to be receptive and attentive towards a systematic approach in order to enhance sustainability work. It is also shown that entrepreneurs', compared to the incubators, appears to have taken a greater distance from understanding the sustainability topic. As many as 56 percent of the entrepreneurs claimed that a forced method could be beneficial but might require more time than it is worth. The remaining 44 percent saw it as purely advantageous. Future studies are encouraged to conduct an investigation including a greater number of participants as an attempt to generalise these findings, and also try to identify if gender has a significant role regarding the matter.

Starting a business requires careful preparation to succeed. The failure of a business is often potentially detrimental to an efficient market economy. An understanding of how to start a business and why some companies succeed is crucial to the stability and health of the economy. The purpose of the study is to examine the entrepreneurs' experiences of how to start their own company and what makes a company successful. The study is based on a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews as design. Targeted selection was chosen in the study with a total of five respondents participating in the survey in Västerås. Data were analyzed by a manifest content analysis. The results show five important categories that have a significant effect on how to start a successful business. The categories were "Motivation", "Business idea", "Quality", "Knowledge" and "Business plan". According to entrepreneurs' experience, these five categories play a significant role in succeeding and overcoming challenges that may arise along the way. The conclusions are to facilitate the process of how to start your own business, it is important to consider the five categories to succeed and increase the chance of success.

This study explores the profound impact of Generation Z (Gen Z) on the international branding strategies employed by small fashion brand startups. As digital natives born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z represents a dynamic force that challenges traditional marketing approaches. By delving into their distinct characteristics and preferences, this research aims to shed light on the ways in which Gen Z's unique mindset and behaviours shape the branding landscape. Drawing upon a qualitative research approach, this study employs in-depth one-on-one semi-structured interviews with small fashion brand owners. Thematic analysis is utilized to uncover patterns and themes, offering valuable insights into the strategies employed by small fashion brands to engage this influential consumer segment. Findings reveal insights and showcase that Gen Z's inclination towards authenticity, social responsibility, and individuality necessitates tailored branding strategies. Small fashion brand startups are compelled to harness the power of social media and immersive experiences to captivate Gen Z's attention. By comprehending the impact of Gen Z on international branding strategies, small fashion brand startups can adapt and thrive in an increasingly competitive market. The implications of this research concern the fashion industry, offering valuable insights for marketers and entrepreneurs seeking to engage with Gen Z within the fashion sector.

Managing innovations is a well studied success factor for companies and organizations. This research focuses on the recently established Lean Startup Methodology (LSM) and the obstacles of implementing it in early- and later-stage business-to-business (B2B) Software as as Service (SaaS) startups. The scarcity of academic research around this framework, in contrast to its popularity, motivated the researchers’ aim to provide a better understanding on how it could be adapted to better fit the needs of these companies.Following an interpretivist paradigm, this qualitative research uses a literature review and semi-structured interviews for its purposes. Interviews were conducted with six individuals at four different early- and late-stage startups. The focus was on understanding the realities of working with innovation management and the different approaches at early and later stage startups. Startups face an abundance of ideas regarding what to do next, a hypothesis confirmed with this study. It is the researchers’ belief that the LSM does not provide sufficient tools for organizations to make an idea selection decision without committing too many resources initially. Lastly, the importance of product ownership for an effective innovation management process was validated.In conclusion, we present the need for an updated Lean Startup Methodology with a dedicated selection step to validate an idea early in the process. This contributes to the theory of innovation management and its practical implementation. The identified gap in academic research around frameworks tailored towards these types of organizations provides a good starting point for future research.

This research study concerns entrepreneurial startups that converted into internationalization by implementing an export business strategy. MASApparel and Dilma Tea companies in Sri Lanka, two leading companies, were selected to illustrate the export strategy for business expansion in foreign markets. The research focuses on how both companies achieved their foreign markets and their continuous successful presence in the industry even now by doing. The study begins with a comprehensive discussion of the theory of competitive advantage, business strategy, and entrepreneurial internationalization. The terms examine both conventional and contemporary views of business strategies implemented to gain a competitive advantage to expand in the international market. A review of the basic concepts of entrepreneurship and internationalization proceeds with a detailed review of the literature on the competitive advantage of the business strategy. Various local and global influences are identified in the export strategy for the internationalization process. The selected two case's findings are presented, and the evidence is based on considering implementing an export business strategy for business internationalization.

Background: Previous research highlights that marketing is a success factor for startups to thrive. New companies face specific challenges due to their novelty, size, and limited resources. It is necessary to understand and distinguish startups from other companies. Given that startups differ from other companies, it has become evident that traditional marketing needs to be complemented by entrepreneurial marketing for these businesses. There is a lack of quality studies on marketing strategies for startups. There is a need for qualitative studies that highlight the marketing challenges startups endure. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the marketing process for startup companies,including the marketing theories and strategies used in practice, and to identify any similiarities and differences between the industries of the companies. Research questions: What does the marketing process look like for startups? How do marketing strategies differ across various industries? Method: The study is a case study and employs a qualitative method based on three semistructured interviews with three different startup companies. The research approach is abductive, using previous research as support for the analysis of the empirical data. The empirical findings develop the underlying theory through new insights from practical contexts. Conclusions: The conclusions show that all three startup companies use entrepreneurial marketing, characterized by limited resources, the absence of a specific marketing team, and an experimental approach. Digital marketing has been used to varying degrees, with different results depending on the product and industry. All companies focus on identifying their target segments and using various methods to reach them, as well as differentiating themselves from competitors through product development. Industry-specific differences impact their expansion opportunities, where complex products require specific customer segments and high competition drives continuous product development. / Bakgrund: I tidigare forskning lyfts det upp att marknadsföring är en framgångsfaktor för att startups ska lyckas. Nya företag möter specifika utmaningar på grund av deras nymodighet, storlek och begränsade resurser. Det är nödvändigt att förstå och urskilja startups från övriga företag. I samband med att startups skiljer sig från övriga företag, har det framkommit att traditionell marknadsföring behöver kompletteras av den entreprenöriella marknadsföringen fördessa. Det råder brist på kvalitetsstudier om marknadsföringsstrategier för startups. Det finns ett behov för kvalitativa studier som lyfter upp marknadsföringsutmaningar som startups utstår. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att utforska marknadsföringsprocessen för startup-företag, med marknadsföringsteorier och strategier som används i praktiken samt synliggöra eventuella likheter och skillnader mellan företagens branscher. Frågeställningar: Hur ser marknadsföringsprocessen ut för startups och hur skiljer sig marknadsföringsstrategierna inom olika branscher? Metod: Studien är en fallstudie och har en kvalitativ metod som är uppbyggd på tre semistrukturerade intervjuer med tre olika startupföretag. Forskningsansatsen är abduktiv där tidigare forskning används som stöd till analys av empirin. Empirin utvecklar den bakomliggande teorin genom nya insikter från praktiska sammanhang. Slutsatser: Slutsatserna visar att alla tre startupföretagen använder entreprenöriellmarknadsföring, kännetecknad av begränsade resurser, avsaknad av specifikt marknadsteamoch ett experimentellt tillvägagångssätt. Digital marknadsföring har använts i varierande grad, med olika resultat beroende på produkt och bransch. Alla företag fokuserar på att identifiera sina målsegment och använda olika metoder för att nå dessa, samt att differentiera sig frånkonkurrenter genom produktutveckling. Branschspecifika skillnader påverkar deras expansionsmöjligheter, där komplexa produkter kräver specifika kundsegment och högkonkurrens driver kontinuerlig produktutveckling.

The rapid advances in technology and increase of tech investments across all the industries have promoted the emergence of several startups. Unfortunately, not all startups succeed despite of having good initial ideas. One reason to the poor business performance could be a lack of managerial control. Researchers and industry experts believe that performance management could support tech entrepreneurs to monitor and control the drivers that promote growth and their success. However, there is a lack of studies that could support these thoughts about its suitability for tech startups. Therefore, this study gathers empirical findings from Swedish tech startups as well as industry experts to discuss this issue. The findings show that a performance measurement system such as the Balanced Scorecard is a suitable practice for tech entrepreneurs. It also brings some insights about how the performance measurements evolve as the firms mature.