Identification and Analysis of Factors Affecting the Success of Innovative Startups: A Meta-Synthesis Approach

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student in Technology Management, Faculty of Management and Industrial Engineering, Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management and Industrial Engineering, University of Malek Ashtar, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Technology and Innovation policy, National Research Institute for Science policy(NRISP), Tehran, Iran

4 . Assistant Professor, Faculty of Management and Industrial Engineering, University of Malek Ashtar, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Startups play a key role in innovation, employment generation, and economic transformation, particularly in emerging markets. Despite their potential for value creation, their success depends on various internal and external factors. This study aims to identify and classify the factors affecting startup success and to develop a conceptual framework.This applied study used a documentary data collection method and was conducted through a meta-synthesis approach. Relevant studies published between 2010 and 2025 were searched in reputable domestic and international scientific databases. From an initial set of 350 articles, 42 studies were selected after screening based on title, abstract, content, and quality assessment. The extracted data were coded and categorized through content analysis.The findings show that the factors affecting startup success can be classified into five main categories, 25 concepts, and 54 codes. These categories include leadership and team, product or service, market and customer, business model and finance, and external environment. The proposed framework can help entrepreneurs, startup managers, investors, and policymakers better understand startup success factors and design more effective managerial and supportive strategies.

Keywords

References

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Innovation Economic Ecosystem Studies
Volume 6, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 25-50

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