Artificial Intelligence Empowerment in Startups: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

Now, artificial intelligence technologies, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI, have become part of global entrepreneurial activities. Small companies and large companies use AI in different ways, and there is no unified view on exactly what role AI plays in startups. This article summarizes how AI helps startups emerge, operate, and grow, filling the gaps left by previous studies that only focused on large companies or broadly discussed digital transformation.
Following the PRISMA 2020 principle, boolean searches were made on Scopus and Web of Science. The first batch had 2,386 records, 467 duplicates were removed, and 1,919 studies were screened for relevance. Eventually, 120 records went through three - stage screening: title (120→86), abstract (86→60), full text (60→50). Ten periphery studies were replaced by twelve newly published articles in 2025–2026, making the total 50 papers. Four studies were verified via the OSS PDF repository and read deeply.
Thematic synthesis produced six clusters: (1) AI for operational efficiency and cost reduction, (2) AI - driven strategic decision - making, (3) AI - enabled business model innovation, (4) AI in startup financing and valuation, (5) AI entrepreneurial ecosystems, and (6) AI ethics, risks, and regulation. An integrative multi - level framework connects these topics from operational, strategic, and ecosystemic perspectives.
Six priority areas for future research were identified, including the influence of generative AI on venture creation, AI's role in making entrepreneurship more inclusive, and cross - cultural comparisons. Practical guidance is provided for entrepreneurs, investors, and public - sector policy makers. This article serves as a reference and marks the start of the next wave of studies in this fast - moving domain.

Artificial Intelligence, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Digital Transformation

1. Abaddi, S. (2026). The Tech-Savvy Entrepreneur. Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83708-132-5 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Acemoglu, D., & Restrepo, P. (2019). Automation and new tasks: How technology displaces and reinstates labor. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 33(2), 3–30. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.33.2.3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Alhur, M., Omar, F., Alqirem, R., & Yousuf, A. A. N. (2025). Adopting the future: How generative AI, agentic AI, and blockchain are redefining success for Dubai's emerging start-ups. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2025, 9751686. https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/9751686 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. AlNuaimi, B. K., Singh, S. K., Ren, S., Budhwar, P., & Vorobyev, D. (2022). Mastering digital transformation: The nexus between leadership, agility, and digital strategy. Journal of Business Research, 145, 636–648. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.03.038 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Balcerzak, A. P., Skapa, S., & Zinecker, M. (2025). Start-ups and artificial intelligence: From application to value, and the five problems that shape effective implementation. Oeconomia Copernicana, 16(2), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.4057 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99–120. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Belitski, M., Guenther, C., Kritikos, A. S., & Thurik, R. (2021). Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurship and small businesses. Small Business Economics, 58(2), 593–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00544-y [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Cruz-Sanchez, O. M., Cruz-Cazares, C., & Hernandez-Vivanco, A. (2025). Business model innovation from dynamic capabilities perspective: A systematic literature review. Journal of Business Research, 190, 115835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115835 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Dabrowska, J., Almpanopoulou, A., Brem, A., Chesbrough, H., Cucino, V., Di Minin, A., & Ritala, P. (2022). Digital transformation, for better or worse: A critical multi-level research agenda. R&D Management, 52(5), 930–954. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12531 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Delgado-Sanchez, E., Calderon, R., & Herrera, F. (2025). Artificial intelligence adoption in SMEs: Survey based on TOE–DOI framework, primary methodology and challenges. Applied Sciences, 15(12), 6465. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15126465 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Diaz-Rodriguez, N., Del Ser, J., Coeckelbergh, M., Lopez de Prado, M., Herrera-Viedma, E., & Herrera, F. (2023). Connecting the dots in trustworthy artificial intelligence: From AI principles, ethics, and key requirements to responsible AI systems and regulation. Information Fusion, 99, 101896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.inffus.2023.101896 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., & Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the future of digital and social media marketing research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59, 102168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Enholm, I. M., Papagiannidis, E., Mikalef, P., & Krogstie, J. (2022). Artificial intelligence and business value: A literature review. Information Systems Frontiers, 24(5), 1709–1734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-021-10186-w [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Fossen, F. M., McLemore, T., & Sorgner, A. (2024). Artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship. IZA Discussion Paper(No. 3772). https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4863772 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Gama, F., & Magistretti, S. (2023). Artificial intelligence in innovation management: A review of innovation capabilities and a taxonomy of AI applications. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 41(1), 112–137. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12698 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Giuggioli, G., & Pellegrini, M. M. (2022). Artificial intelligence as an enabler for entrepreneurs: A systematic literature review and an agenda for future research. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 29(4), 816–837. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-05-2021-0426 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Hagendorff, T. (2020). The ethics of AI ethics: An evaluation of guidelines. Minds and Machines, 30(1), 99–120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11023-020-09517-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kahveci, E. (2025). Digital transformation in SMEs: Enablers, interconnections, and a framework for sustainable competitive advantage. Administrative Sciences, 15(3), 107. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15030107 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Kanbach, D. K., Heiduk, L., Blueher, G., Schreiter, M., & Lahmann, A. (2023). The GenAI is out of the bottle: Generative artificial intelligence from a business model innovation perspective. Review of Managerial Science, 18, 1189–1220. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-023-00696-z [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Kitchenham, B. (2004). Procedures for performing systematic reviews (Report No. TR/SE/0401). Keele University. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Kumar, A., Shankar, A., Hollebeek, L. D., Behl, A., & Lim, W. M. (2025). Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) revolution: A deep dive into GenAI adoption. Journal of Business Research, 189, 115160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2024.115160 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Lee, J., Suh, T., Roy, D., & Baucus, M. (2019). Emerging technology and business model innovation: The case of artificial intelligence. Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity, 5(3), 44. https://doi.org/10.3390/joitmc5030044 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Malik, F. S., & Terzidis, O. (2026). The metamorphosis of organizational resilience: A strategic roadmap for SMEs in the digital age. Review of Managerial Science, 20, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11846-026-01002-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Obschonka, M., & Audretsch, D. B. (2019). Artificial intelligence and big data in entrepreneurship: A new era has begun. Small Business Economics, 55(3), 529–539. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-019-00202-4 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Obschonka, M., & Fisch, C. (2025). From humans to machines: Researching entrepreneurial AI agents built on large language models. Journal of Business Venturing Insights, 23, e00581. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbvi.2025.e00581 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Ries, E. (2011). The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses. Crown Business. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Soomro, R. B., Al-Rahmi, W. M., Dahri, N. A., Almuqren, L., & Almogren, A. S. (2025). A SEM–ANN analysis to examine impact of artificial intelligence technologies on sustainable performance of SMEs. Scientific Reports, 15, 86464. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86464-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Teece, D. J., Pisano, G., & Shuen, A. (1997). Dynamic capabilities and strategic management. Strategic Management Journal, 18(7), 509–533. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2288-8-45 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.022 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Wang, S., & Zhang, H. (2025). Digital transformation and innovation performance in small- and medium-sized enterprises: A systems perspective. Systems, 13(1), 43. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13010043 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Weng, Y. G., Salim, F. A. A., Hashim, H. I. C., Setiawan, B., & Ramli, M. F. (2025). Empowering women entrepreneurs with artificial intelligence (AI) for social sustainability: Systematic literature review. Malaysian Journal of Consumer and Family Economics, 35, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.60016/majcafe.v35.01 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• IFRS S1 and S2: A Global and Indian Perspective with Implications for Auditors
• A Study on Consumer Attitudes and Buying Behavior towards organic Food Products
• India’s Transfer Pricing Framework: Evolution, Challenges, and Future Directions
• Application of Statistical Methods in Business Administration: A Quantitative Study on Organizational Performance
• Decoding Fintech Adoption: The Role of Trust, Risks and Perceived Benefits