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Impact Tech Startups: A Conceptual Framework, Machine-Learning-Based Methodology and Future Research Directions

Author

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  • Benjamin Gidron

    (Research Authority, The College of Management Academic Studies, Rishon LeTsiyon 7579806, Israel
    Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben Gurion University fo the Negev, Beer-Sheva 8410501, Israel)

  • Yael Israel-Cohen

    (School of Behavioral Sciences & Psychology, The College of Management Academic Studies, Rishon LeTsiyon 7579806, Israel)

  • Kfir Bar

    (School of Computer Science, The College of Management Academic Studies, Rishon LeTsiyon 7579806, Israel)

  • Dalia Silberstein

    (Center for Impact Investing & Entrepreneurship, The College of Management Academic Studies, Rishon LeTsiyon 7579806, Israel)

  • Michael Lustig

    (Center for Impact Investing & Entrepreneurship, The College of Management Academic Studies, Rishon LeTsiyon 7579806, Israel
    Stern School of Business, New York University, New York, NY 10012, USA)

  • Daniela Kandel

    (Innovation Bridges Department, Start-Up Nation Central (SNC), Tel Aviv 6513307, Israel)

Abstract

The Impact Tech Startup (ITS) is a new, rapidly developing type of organizational category. Based on an entrepreneurial approach and technological foundations, ITSs adopt innovative strategies to tackle a variety of social and environmental challenges within a for-profit framework and are usually backed by private investment. This new organizational category is thus far not discussed in the academic literature. The paper first provides a conceptual framework for studying this organizational category, as a combination of aspects of social enterprises and startup businesses. It then proposes a machine learning (ML)-based algorithm to identify ITSs within startup databases. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are used as a referential framework for characterizing ITSs, with indicators relating to those 17 goals that qualify a startup for inclusion in the impact category. The paper concludes by discussing future research directions in studying ITSs as a distinct organizational category through the usage of the ML methodology.

Suggested Citation

  • Benjamin Gidron & Yael Israel-Cohen & Kfir Bar & Dalia Silberstein & Michael Lustig & Daniela Kandel, 2021. "Impact Tech Startups: A Conceptual Framework, Machine-Learning-Based Methodology and Future Research Directions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:18:p:10048-:d:631218
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Michał Bańka & Mariusz Salwin & Maria Kukurba & Szymon Rychlik & Joanna Kłos & Monika Sychowicz, 2022. "Start-Up Accelerators and Their Impact on Sustainability: Literature Analysis and Case Studies from the Energy Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-30, October.
    2. Shome, Samik & Hassan, M. Kabir & Verma, Sushma & Panigrahi, Tushar Ranjan, 2023. "Impact investment for sustainable development: A bibliometric analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 770-800.
    3. Michał Bańka & Mariusz Salwin & Roman Tylżanowski & Ireneusz Miciuła & Monika Sychowicz & Norbert Chmiel & Adrian Kopytowski, 2023. "Start-Up Accelerators and Their Impact on Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility of the Manager," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-32, May.
    4. Benjamin Gidron & Kfir Bar & Maya Finger Keren & Dalit Gafni & Yaari Hodara & Irina Krasnopolskaya & Alon Mannor, 2023. "The Impact Tech Startup: Initial Findings on a New, SDG-Focused Organizational Category," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-26, August.
    5. Siqueira, Erica H.S. & Fischer, Bruno Brandão & Bin, Adriana & Kickul, Jill, 2023. "Entrepreneurial ecosystems’ readiness towards knowledge-intensive sustainable entrepreneurship: Evidence from Brazil," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    6. Maya Finger & Mosi Rosenboim, 2022. "Going ESG: The Economic Value of Adopting an ESG Policy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    7. Leitão, Maria Eugénia & Amaral, Miguel & Carvalho, Ana, 2024. "Reconceptualizing socio-tech entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).

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