Factors Influencing the Early Internationalization of High Technology Start-ups: US and UK Evidence

Abstract

The paper examines factors influencing the early internationalization of small high technology international start-ups in the US and UK in order to understand why small high technology start-ups are increasingly international in nature at or near inception. The study qualitatively identifies influential factors and quantitatively measures the level of importance of 25 leading factors to the firms. The study found that the principal factors influencing the early internationalization of international start-ups are the international vision of the founders, their desire to be international market leaders, the identification of specific international opportunities, and the possession of international contacts and sales leads.