Assessing the competitiveness of emerging startup ecosystems through a multi-criteria approach

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate the competitiveness of startup ecosystems in emerging countries using a multi-criteria decision-making approach. Design/methodology/approach By integrating the Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution methods, this study assesses 14 countries based on 22 factors across six dimensions: Financial Capital, Culture, Supporting Institutions, Markets, Public Policy and Human Resources. Findings Skilled labor emerged as the most differentiating factor within these ecosystems, followed by access to distribution channels and accessibility to technical and vocational courses. In contrast, availability of venture capital, access to venture capital and motivational actions were the least differentiating factors. The findings reveal significant variations in competitiveness, with India leading and Venezuela trailing. Sensitivity analysis and additional scenario-based tests indicates the ranking robustness and reliability. Originality/value This study fills a gap in the literature by focusing on emerging startup ecosystems, which are often overlooked in favor of those in developed countries. The research provides valuable insights into the factors influencing startup ecosystem competitiveness in emerging economies, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of global entrepreneurial dynamics.