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What helps age-tech startups scale-up? Some insights

Author

Listed:
  • Imon Chakraborty

    (Indian Institute of Technology Madras)

  • P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan

    (Indian Institute of Technology Delhi)

  • Sisira Edirippulige

    (The University of Queensland)

Abstract

The mortality rate of health-tech startups is high despite their potential to fill the accessibility and affordability gaps in healthcare service delivery. Extant research on what helps health-tech startups to grow, especially age-tech startups, is inadequate. It discusses various aspects of scale-up, but an understanding of what precedes the same remains scant. The paper attempts to fill this gap using a scoping review of the literature followed by case studies. Four databases, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Xplore (IEEE Xplore), were screened for the period January 2017 and May 2024. The findings were validated in the light of case studies where critical incident technique was used to analyze the data. The study identifies seven antecedents for the age-tech startups’ scale-up: customer-oriented approach, workforce productiveness, value effectiveness, innovativeness, strategic partnerships, funding strategy, and regulatory compliance. It offers a theoretical understanding of the factors that drive the scale-up of age-tech startups and proposes a framework for further theoretical development and empirical validation. The findings will assist various stakeholders in enabling the success and sustainability of health-tech ventures. The paper also presents practical implications and directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Imon Chakraborty & P. Vigneswara Ilavarasan & Sisira Edirippulige, 2025. "What helps age-tech startups scale-up? Some insights," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-32, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:intemj:v:21:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s11365-025-01081-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s11365-025-01081-w
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