Creativity and Entrepreneurial Orientation in Early-Stage Tech Startups: A Cross-Countries Study in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore for Sustainable Development

This study shows how early-stage tech entrepreneurs leverage creativity and entrepreneurial orientation (EO) to enhance the odds of their new ventures’ success. A total of 20 entrepreneurs from tech startups in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore were interviewed using a qualitative approach. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews and analysed using NVivo 12 Plus. The findings reveal the vital role of personal competencies such as storytelling, business skills, and proactive learning in enabling entrepreneurs to exhibit creativity and innovativeness. Interpersonal competencies, including relationship building and risk encouragement, empower entrepreneurs to demonstrate proactiveness and competitive aggressiveness. Managerial competencies, such as creative problem-solving, customer focus, and vision articulation, help entrepreneurs manifest leadership abilities and enhance autonomy and creativity, emphasising their critical role in fostering EO dimensions and creativity among early-stage entrepreneurs. Moreover, the insights gained from this study can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).