Entrepreneurial Founding Conditions and the Survival of Startups in Ghana

The survival of startups in emerging economies remains a critical concern for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and scholars. This study critically examines the influence of entrepreneurial founding conditions on the survival of start-ups in Ghana. Drawing on the theoretical perspectives of path dependency and the liability of newness, the research explores how entrepreneurs conceptualise entrepreneurial founding conditions, identifies the internal and external factors perceived as crucial for startup survival, and investigates the organising practices that facilitate business sustainability. Adopting an interpretive epistemological stance, the study employs an exploratory qualitative research design. A deductive approach was used to develop a semi-structured interview instrument, informed by an extensive review of existing literature. The research population comprised startup owners who had been in operation for up to five years in Ghana. Forty-five entrepreneurs were selected through convenience and snowball sampling techniques from Accra, Koforidua, Kumasi, Kasoa, and Takoradi. The data were collected through face-to-face semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was employed to analyse the transcribed interviews and field notes. The findings indicate that entrepreneurs perceive founding conditions as critical determinants of startup survival, as these conditions must be present in the early stages of business development to ensure long-term sustainability. A deficiency in these foundational conditions during a startup's infancy may significantly increase the risk of business failure. The study reveals that startup survival depends on both internal factors (prior experience, human capital, innovation) and external factors (finance, networks, market access). Start-up entrepreneurs use structured routines like networking, training, and innovation to build capabilities and optimise resources for growth. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and entrepreneurs in Ghana and similar emerging economies. The research contributes to startup survival literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of foundational conditions affecting entrepreneurial success. The study acknowledges its limitations and suggests areas for future research.