Polis University as Lean Startup Innovation

Abstract

This article studies the rapid development of a new university in Tirana, Albania, from the perspective of lean startup innovation. This is an unusual perspective because the lean startup approach is widely used for new ventures in the technology sector. The claim of principal authors of Lean Startup however is that the lean startup principles have much wider applicability than the tech sector. Based on the case study of a newly established university, it is concluded that this claim holds: the lean startup approach proves to be meaningful and relevant for understanding the rapid development of this university, and likely for other types of new business development as well.