The Role of Startups in Sustainable Development
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12308486 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Fernando Almeida (0000-0002-6758-4843, Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies Budapest Hungary), Filipa de Almeida (0000-0002-3112-3965, Corvinus University of Budapest, corresponding author), Edet Okon (0000-0003-0235-3603, University of Sunderland Sunderland UK) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-05 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Sustainable Development (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0968-0802 • E-ISSN: 1099-1719 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1002/sd.70902 |
| OpenAlex | W7134175624 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 67 |
The study aims to understand how, to what extent, and through what mechanisms startups contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), distinguishing between impact‐driven initiatives and approaches in which sustainability is used instrumentally. To this end, a mixed‐methods methodology was applied, combining quantitative and qualitative analysis on a sample of 1864 startups accelerated by Y Combinator. The results indicate that the most addressed SDGs are SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well‐being), with an emphasis on clean technologies, low‐carbon models, data‐based climate monitoring, personalized and preventive medicine, mental health, and clinical data management. In contrast, goals related to biodiversity and reducing inequalities are less represented, revealing gaps and areas with potential for expansion. The study's contributions include identifying patterns and gaps in startups' engagement with the SDGs, reinforcing the importance of public policies and incentives to balance efforts in less addressed areas, and demonstrating the central role of digital technologies and data analysis in promoting sustainability
Balance (ability · Entrepreneurship · Incentive · Public policy · Qualitative property · Sample (material · Sustainability · Sustainable development · Healthcare Facilities Design and Sustainability · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
Doing Triangulation and Mixed Methods
Innovation ecosystems
A resource‐based view of green innovation as a strategic firm resource
Managing compound events in the Covid-19 era
How startups create new knowledge that spark disruptive innovations
Behavioral entrepreneurship for achieving the sustainable development goals
Assessing applications of emerging technologies in a data-driven era of sustainability and challenges
Introduction
Towards transformative innovation ecosystems
Sustainability through innovation and creativity in educational landscape
The map is not the territory
Sustainable Digital Entrepreneurship
AI ‐Driven Circular Transformation
Environmental Innovation for a Low‐Carbon Economy
Demystifying the modalities of startup ecosystem
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |