Pioneering start-ups' first mover advantages and success factors in B2B service markets

Less attention has been given to first mover or pioneer advantages (FMA) for services than for physical products. Likewise, less attention has been given to FMA for business-to-business (B2B) markets than for business-to-customer markets. This research investigates FMA for B2B services using a grounded theory approach in existing academic knowledge, and by empirical analysis of university start-ups. Empirical analysis is performed through statistical analysis and Rough Set Analysis: a machine learning approach that induces decision rules for classification. Several patterns are evident from the data and a tool is introduced that can aid interested actors in assessing a start-up's performance based on several of its characteristics.Technology, Policy and ManagementValues Technology and InnovationManagement of Technolog