A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW ON THE SYSTEM AND THE SUSTAINABILITY OF STARTUPS

Startups have emerged as vital engines of innovation, job creation, and economic growth, particularly in developing economies such as India.Despite the rapid rise of entrepreneurial ventures supported by initiatives like Startup India, a significant proportion struggle to sustain and scale, with more than 70% failing within the first five years.This study conducts a systematic literature review of 95 peer-reviewed articles from leading databases to identify the critical factors influencing startup sustainability in the Indian context.The analysis reveals that an interplay of financial capital, human capital, social capital, innovation capability, and ecosystem support shapes sustainability.Financial access-through bootstrapping, venture capital, angel investors, crowdfunding, and government funding-remains a major determinant of survival.Human capital factors, such as entrepreneurial education, experience, leadership, and passion, significantly impact firm outcomes.Meanwhile, social capital, in the form of networks and relational ties, provides legitimacy and access to resources.Innovation, both technological and market-oriented, enhances competitiveness, whereas enabling ecosystems comprising government policies, legal frameworks, and collaborative alliances strengthen long-term viability.The study synthesizes these insights into a conceptual framework that maps sustainability drivers across different stages of the startup lifecycle.By integrating scattered evidence, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of entrepreneurial sustainability and offers direction for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to enhance the resilience of India's startup ecosystem.