Proximities, innovation and start-ups: an analysis of the development of literature on the topics

Purpose This study examines how the themes of innovation, start-ups and proximity are interconnected in the academic literature. Collaborations with various partners are recognized as enabling start-ups to overcome resource constraints and drive innovation. Managing proximities between partners is essential for achieving successful interrelationships. This study aims to analyze how existing studies relate these concepts and to identify possible research gaps. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis, complemented by content analysis, was conducted to evaluate the academic landscape at the intersection of innovation, start-ups and proximity. The methodology followed a structured review protocol to ensure rigor and transparency in data selection and analysis. Findings The analysis revealed some publications that explicitly explore innovation, start-ups and proximity together. Three main themes emerged from the literature: (1) proximity as an enabler of collaborative innovation in start-up ecosystems, (2) knowledge exchange and network dynamics among entrepreneurial actors and (3) proximity as a strategic resource for start-up development and legitimacy building. Based on these findings, the study identifies four futures research directions: (1) qualitative investigations of proximity dynamic in emerging digital start-ups, (2) comparative studies between high-tech and traditional industries, (3) integration of proximity perspectives with strategic management frameworks such as the resource-based view and (4) longitudinal research examining how proximity evolves throughout the start-up lifecycle. Research limitations/implications This review includes only publications indexed in selected academic databases and written in English, potentially excluding relevant studies published in other languages or from nonacademic sources. Nonetheless, the structured methodology offers a replicable approach for future updates and extensions. Originality/value This study offers a new contribution by combining the themes of innovation, start-ups and proximity into a single analytical framework. It recognizes that innovation is not only technological or organizational but also relational, as start-ups depend on proximities to access knowledge, legitimacy and opportunities. This integration connects fragmented research streams and provides both theoretical and managerial insights for fostering innovation in start-ups.