How start-ups translate learning from innovation failure into strategies for growth

Abstract

Start-ups can make a decisive contribution to the development of innovation. These organizations are designed to experiment with new technologies and business models. In their growth process, learning from failure plays a decisive role. This study enriches our understanding of learning from failure, particularly in start-ups, by analyzing 21 innovative start-ups that have faced experiences of failure. The theories of organizational learning and dynamic capabilities are applied to identify the responses of start-ups to failure and their implications in terms of learning. Six response strategies were identified: external monitoring, internal evaluation, resource acquisition and mobilization, value creation and capture, team-level entrepreneurial, and organizational learning. These response strategies are grouped into the three dynamic capabilities dimensions: sensing, seizing, and transforming. These strategies are relevant for start-ups to overcome difficulties and continue their growth and innovation. They also offer a guideline for start-ups to develop strategies for systematic learning from failures.