• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.161-182
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• 2024

The study analyzed the rapidly growing food tech startup in South Korea, focusing on industry classification, core technological domains, investment stages, and growth trajectories. Utilizing the ERIS model, two innovative food tech startups, MyChef and CatchTable, were examined as case studies. Results revealed food tech startups are focusing on information technology and smart distribution technology-oriented solutions rather than traditional food production. This study also found that robotics and AI integration were key technology areas. Analyzing the emergence of food tech startups, investment stages, and cumulative investment amounts based on founding years revealed a trend of scaling operations through rounds of funding, especially after securing SERIES A and B funding. The period between 2014 and 2018 saw a dense concentration of food tech startup establishments, likely influenced by favorable conditions for technological innovation amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The high rate of strategic mergers and acquisitions and bankruptcy can be interpreted as the complexity inherent in the food tech industry. The case study of MyChef, which grew into HMR manufacturing, and Wad(CatchTable), which expanded into a restaurant reservation platform, derived the entrepreneurs, resources, industry, and strategic factors that served as success factors for food tech startups. This study has practical implications in that it provides entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers in the food tech industry with insight and direction to develop strategies in line with market trends and technological changes and promote sustainable growth.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.13-29
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• 2023

Overcoming the death valley, a period in which resources are depleted and profitability declines or stagnates in the entrepreneurial process, is an essential procedure for success. In this study, we examined how the strategic orientation(technology, customer, competitor orientations) and absorptive capacity(potential, realized capacities) of startups affect the possibility of startups to overcome the challenges of death valley, and also empirically analyzed whether support of open innovation and venture capital has a moderating influence to the overcoming of death valley. The result of this study shows that customer orientation and realized absorptive capacity have a positive influence on overcoming the death valley. In addition, we found that the support of open innovation and venture capital has a moderating effect only in the technology orientation among the three types of strategic orientations. The result of this research emphasizes (1) the need for startups to take a more customer-oriented approach to overcome the death valley. The customer-oriented behavior and strategies of startups are vital for their longterm survival and success if we consider the fact that most of the companies investigated in this study were technology-based startups and only customer orientation showed significant results in overcoming the death valley. The research outcome also shows that (2) implementing innovation in a more open way and securing venture capital funding can make it easier for startups to overcome the death valley. This study has academic significance in that it empirically analyzed the relationship of key factors influencing the overcoming of death valley in a situation where the majority of existing research remains at the conceptual level of discussion or methodology of case study. Furthermore, this research also provides practical implications for the establishment and implementation of effective strategies to confront the challenges of death valley for startups, government and related organizations.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.1-27
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• 2021

Purpose Even if many startups firms have developed innovative items and a potential for success, they often have a limited financial resources, which makes them difficult to do business. To overcome this financial difficulty, startups have used one of fintech services, called crowdfunding that can be a good alternative to solving the difficulty of financing. The purpose of this study is to empirically validate the proposed research model that investigates the reasons of trusting crowdfunding platform, which positively leads to two outcomes - intention to participate and word-of-mouth for reward-based crowdfunding project. Design/methodology/approach We proposed several factors categorized as trust, information quality, and platform traits that have a positive impact on trust of crowdfunding platform, which positively leads to intention to participate and word-of-mouth of crowdfunding. The collected(n=285) from individuals who have participated in crowdfunding project was analyzed with SmartPLS 3.0 to test proposed hypotheses. Findings The results showed that all proposed variables (website reputation, crowdfunding familiarity, digital storytelling, information quality, and interaction) had a significant impact on crowfunding platform trust with exception of product differentiation. In addition, crowfunding platform trust was positively associated with participating intention and word-of-mouth. Based on findings, we discussed the research results and implication alone with a direction for future studies.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2020

This study conducted an exploratory study to derive the success factors of entrepreneurial marketing for startups. Through Delphi analysis, we derived the items of proactive orientation, risk management, innovation, opportunity driven, resource leveraging, customer intensity, value creation, price setting, marketing communication, channel management, product development, sales and marketing information management. The importance and execution of success factors were measured through IPA analysis. The first quadrant(keep up the good work) has proactive orientation, risk management, resource leveraging, customer intensity. The second quadrant(concentrate here) has innovation. The third quadrant(low priority) has channel management, sales, marketing information management. The fourth quadrant(possible overkill) has prices setting, product development. These results showed that the success factors of startup's entrepreneurial marketing were proactive orientation, risk management, innovation, opportunity driven, resource leveraging, customer intensity and value creation.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.253-270
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• 2023

Research on investment determinants of accelerators, which are attracting attention by greatly improving the survival rate of startups by providing professional incubation and investment to startups at the same time, is gradually expanding. However, previous studies do not have a theoretical basis in developing investment determinants in the early stages, and they use factors of angel investors or venture capital, which are similar investors, and are still in the stage of analyzing importance and priority through empirical research. Therefore, this study verified for the first time in Korea the discrimination and effectiveness of investment determinants using accelerator investment determinants developed based on the business model innovation framework in previous studies. To this end, we first set the criteria for success and failure of startup investment based on scale-up theory and conducted a survey of 22 investment experts from 14 accelerators in Korea, and secured valid data on a total of 97 startups, including 52 successful scale-up startups and 45 failed scale-up startups, were obtained and an independent sample t-test was conducted to verify the mean difference between these two groups by accelerator investment determinants. As a result of the analysis, it was confirmed that the investment determinants of accelerators based on business model innovation framework have considerable discrimination in finding successful startups and making investment decisions. In addition, as a result of analyzing manufacturing-related startups and service-related startups considering the characteristics of innovation by industry, manufacturing-related startups differed in business model, strategy, and dynamic capability factors, while service-related startups differed in dynamic capabilities. This study has great academic implications in that it verified the practical effectiveness of accelerator investment determinants derived based on business model innovation framework for the first time in Korea, and it has high practical value in that it can make effective investments by providing theoretical grounds and detailed information for investment decisions.

• Journal of Venture Innovation
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.183-228
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• 2024

This study aimed to develop a competency evaluation scale tailored to the specific needs of key talent in the ICT startup sector. Existing competency assessment tools are mostly designed for environments in large corporations or traditional small and medium-sized enterprises, failing to adequately reflect the dynamic requirements of rapidly evolving startups. For startups, where a small number of individuals directly impact company success, key talent is a critical asset. Accordingly, this study sought to create a scale that measures the competencies suited to the challenges and opportunities faced by startups, helping domestic startups establish more effective talent management strategies. The research initially selected 71 items through a literature review and in-depth interviews. Based on expert feedback that emphasized the need for more precise and clear descriptions, the item descriptions were revised, and a total of 65 items were developed through four rounds of content validation. Following preliminary and main surveys, a final set of 58 items was developed. The main survey conducted further factor analysis based on the three broad competency factors?knowledge, skills, and attitude?identified in the preliminary survey. As a result, 10 latent factors emerged: 6 items for task comprehension, 6 items for practical experience (tacit knowledge), 6 items for collaboration, 9 items for management and problem-solving, 9 items for practical skills, 4 items for self-direction, 5 items for goal orientation, 5 items for adaptability, 5 items for relationship orientation, and 3 items for organizational loyalty. The developed scale comprehensively covers the multifaceted nature of competencies, allowing for a thorough evaluation of essential skills such as technical ability, teamwork, innovation, and leadership, which are critical for startups. Therefore, the scale provides a tool that helps startup managers objectively and accurately assess candidates' competencies. It also supports the growth of employees within startups, maximizing the overall organizational performance. By utilizing this tool, startups can build a strong internal talent pool and continuously enhance employees' competencies, thereby strengthening organizational competitiveness. In conclusion, the competency evaluation scale developed in this study is a customized tool that aligns with the characteristics of startups and plays a crucial role in securing sustainable competitiveness in rapidly changing market environments. Additionally, it offers practical guidance to support the successful growth of domestic startups and help them maintain their competitive edge in the market, contributing to the development of the startup ecosystem and the growth of the national economy.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.53-69
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• 2019

Purpose - National scientific technology R&D investment is exceeding 60 trillion won per year, and the results of patent applications and technology transfers are visually improving. However, despite the improving research results of national R&D, the practical results of technology startups are mediocre. It is now time to expand the construction of the technology commercialization ecosystem, where the expansion of national R&D leads to the results of technology startups. Therefore, this study discussed the measures to increase the competitiveness of technology startups through the factual survey of the companies that benefitted from R&D support programs. Research design, data, and methodology - This study targeted 996 companies that benefitted from the R&D projects of the Technology Transfer Center for National R&D Programs, and deducted itemized issues through the survey replies. Survey questions were prepared to estimate the national R&D results, and the technology recognition path, the purpose of detailed introduction of the technology, investment of the commercialization fund, economic results, and the factors of success and failure were analyzed. Results - As for the recognition rate of technology during the process of corporate technology commercialization through the technology transfer, recognition through project participation showed a high response rate, and diverse implications of technology commercialization were deducted through the analysis of economic results. As for the resolution alternatives, the proliferation of technology commercialization platform that can create excellent technology for the companies in early stages and the measure of expanding the distribution of technology infrastructure were suggested. In this study, public technology commercialization strategy is established, and the innovative marketing strategy is presented. Conclusions - This study reveal that the result of creating scientific technology jobs should be deducted, in order to produce the revolutionary results of job creation by suggesting the success models of technology commercialization based on domestic scientific technology. In particular, even though the support systems for public research results are being diversely suggested, accurate studies on their actual conditions are currently lacking. Therefore, this study suggest realistic political alternatives to assure results in the process of public technology commercialization, by examining the current state of public research results of R&D support institutions and diagnosing the issues.

• Korean small business review
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.187-219
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• 2021

Startup accelerators, a new type of investment entity, have emerged as a way to solve the difficulties of early startups and existing investment methods with high risk. With the visible performances of these startup accelerators on the success of startups, medium and large accelerator companies have emerged, along with the increasing size of seed money they invest in. In addition, differences between small and medium&large accelerator companies are emerging. Therefore, startups need informations on what factors to prepare for attracting startup accelerators' investment. Accelerators also need determinant criteria to select startups as the amount of investment grows. However, the study on this subject is not currently being conducted. Therefore, we conducted the study through dividing the average amount of seed money into small and medium & large-sized investment groups and examined the differences in major investment determinants, investment purposes, and major accelerating programs. As the results of this study, small investment groups could be subdivided into 'consulting-oriented accelerators' and medium- and large-sized investment groups into 'investment-oriented accelerators'. In addition, major services and investment purposes and investment decision criteria vary depending on the size of the investment. I think these findings will be good standards for accelerator companies, startups in need of their help, and follow-up researchers.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.221-235
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• 2019

SMEs are experiencing difficulties in doing sales promotion due to the low awareness of the image of the company and the products produced by them in the global market. Therefore, the Government should seek ways to raise awareness of SMEs' image and products. SMEs have to carry out global innovation activities needed to develop new products or new technologies, but they are exposed to limitations of these innovative activities due to the limit of their available resources. Therefore, as a national project, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups and the Small and Medium Business Corporation are doing project for fostering and constructing global shopping mall (independent mall) so that SMEs can strengthen their global innovation activities. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to succeeding in the project for fostering and constructing global shopping mall (independent mall) by studying the case of Zungle Incorporation which operates a global shopping mall and greatly increases exports by participating in this project, and identifying success factors of Zungle Incorporation in doing this project.

• Asia-Pacific Journal of Business Venturing and Entrepreneurship
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.95-111
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• 2023

Korea has achieved a high startup rate by promoting government-led startup policies for national economic and industrial development. However, as high as the startup rate is, the closure rate of startup companies can be judged to be insufficient for the qualitative growth of the domestic startup ecosystem. This study aims to investigate how to improve the survival rate of startups by overcoming the valley of death from a location environment perspective. It analyzes the effects of technology orientation and market orientation of start-ups on management performance and the moderating effects of economic, accessibility, and network factors that constitute the location environment. To achieve the research objectives, the empirical analysis was conducted on start-up companies that received corporate support projects from innovation intermediary organizations. The results show that R&D capability of technology orientation has a significant effect on management performance, and market information generation and market information response of market orientation have a significant effect on management performance. As for the moderating effect, accessibility, a sub-factor of the location environment, has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between technological innovation and managerial performance, and the location environment (economy, accessibility, and network) has a positive moderating effect on the relationship between market information generation and managerial performance. This study compared and analyzed previous studies on the success and failure of start-ups and identified common factors. In addition, this study provides policy implications for the sustainable growth of startups through empirical analysis and interview with stakeholders. For future research, it is necessary to compare and analyze start-ups in metropolitan areas and non-metropolitan areas. In addition, it is necessary to study startups that have moved out of the region and into the metropolitan area to find ways to develop the regional startup ecosystem.