Empirical Study of Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Indian Tech Start-ups

Abstract Book of the 11th International Conference on Management, Economics and Finance

Year: 2026

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Empirical Study of Factors Influencing Competitiveness of Indian Tech Start-ups

Khushnuma Wasi, Nakul Parameswar

ABSTRACT:

Tech Start-ups (TS) are significant drivers of innovation, economic growth, and job creation. The study focuses on TS in emerging market, specifically in India, where it is crucial to leverage domestic knowledge and capabilities to reduce dependency on foreign firms. TS often face challenges to compete and survive in the market for the long term. Although many TS are founded, only a small proportion manage to survive and an even smaller percentage of those that do survive are able to scale up. The objective of the study is to explore and empirically validate the factors that influence the competitiveness of TS. The study employed empirical research design using a questionnaire-based survey. We collected data at the firm level from founders of TS in India. We analysed 261 data using partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS – SEM). Results of the study indicate that organizational agility, organizational ambidexterity, internationalisation and market orientation are key factors that significantly influence the competitiveness of tech start-ups in India. The findings highlight the importance of enhancing the competitiveness of tech start-ups and the significance of organizational agility, organizational ambidexterity, internationalisation and market orientation irrespective of whether the start-up focuses on B2B or B2C markets or operates across different industries or sectors.

Keywords: Competitive Advantage; Internationalization; Market Orientation; Organizational agility; Organizational ambidexterity; Survival