Start-Ups as Drivers of Inclusive and Sustainable Growth in Emerging Economies

Entrepreneurial ecosystems are very important when it comes to influencing performance of start-ups, especially in the developing markets where the available resources and infrastructural hurdles are significant. This paper discusses the role of major elements of entrepreneurial ecosystems incubators and accelerators, funding networks, mentorship programs and government policies - have an impact on start-up growth, innovation, and market growth. A mixed-method approach is taken with both the secondary data analysis and multiple emerging markets in India, Nigeria with in-depth qualitative case studies of high-performing start-ups and Vietnam. The quantitative analysis proves that access to funding networks has the greatest positive correlation with start-up performance, and incubators, mentorship and policy support. Case studies give an example of how start-ups use the resources of the ecosystem to surmount regulatory, infrastructure and funding, create products and operations, and operations, and scale, are effective. The results can point to the synergistic effect of numerous elements of eco systems with a focus on the fact that start-ups perform better the coordination of mentorship, funding, incubation and policy support. The study, as a theoretical contribution, validates the relevance of the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Resource-Based View, Theory and Network Theory in the emerging market settings, and in practice through giving practical advice to policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs. These findings highlight the need for a properly designed and context-specific ecosystem policies to promote sustainable startup development and innovation in resource-constrained Environments.