Innovative start-ups play a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving economic growth while enhancing technological competitiveness. In Italy, the emergence of these start-ups has significantly influenced the landscape of economic development and technological advancement, acting as a key engine for generating and integrating knowledge into new products and services. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the dynamics surrounding Italian innovative start-ups and their impact on the broader economic and technological landscape. This study analyzes the factors affecting the economic performance of these start-ups, with a focus on governance aspects and corporate resources, particularly team composition, company size, and the impact of gender diversity. It also investigates how sector and geographic location may influence access to resources, often linked to public policies and local innovation ecosystems. Using the AIDA (Analisi Informatizzata delle Aziende) database, managed by Bureau van Dijk - a leading global provider of financial information specializing in the collection and storage of economic-financial data on Italian companies - we studied a sample of 5,669 innovative start-ups across Italy. Through OLS regression models, the article reveals how regional context and policies can serve as either a competitive advantage or a barrier for firms. The findings indicate a positive effect of female leadership on business growth in terms of profitability and sustainability, suggesting that diverse governance and locations within developed entrepreneurial ecosystems can significantly enhance business performance. These insights are valuable for policymakers and entrepreneurs, contributing to a deeper understanding of the economic dynamics of innovative startups in Italy. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to examine regional differences in the performance of Italian startups by including all Italian regions.
Innovation in Entrepreneurship and Performance: An Empirical Research on Italian Innovative Startups
Donato Morea
2025-01-01
Abstract
Innovative start-ups play a crucial role in fostering innovation and driving economic growth while enhancing technological competitiveness. In Italy, the emergence of these start-ups has significantly influenced the landscape of economic development and technological advancement, acting as a key engine for generating and integrating knowledge into new products and services. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the dynamics surrounding Italian innovative start-ups and their impact on the broader economic and technological landscape. This study analyzes the factors affecting the economic performance of these start-ups, with a focus on governance aspects and corporate resources, particularly team composition, company size, and the impact of gender diversity. It also investigates how sector and geographic location may influence access to resources, often linked to public policies and local innovation ecosystems. Using the AIDA (Analisi Informatizzata delle Aziende) database, managed by Bureau van Dijk - a leading global provider of financial information specializing in the collection and storage of economic-financial data on Italian companies - we studied a sample of 5,669 innovative start-ups across Italy. Through OLS regression models, the article reveals how regional context and policies can serve as either a competitive advantage or a barrier for firms. The findings indicate a positive effect of female leadership on business growth in terms of profitability and sustainability, suggesting that diverse governance and locations within developed entrepreneurial ecosystems can significantly enhance business performance. These insights are valuable for policymakers and entrepreneurs, contributing to a deeper understanding of the economic dynamics of innovative startups in Italy. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to examine regional differences in the performance of Italian startups by including all Italian regions.
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