DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AS A DRIVING FACTOR FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN DIGITAL STARTUPS

Abstract

Digital transformation has become a fundamental vector for the development and consolidation of entrepreneurship in startups, especially in view of the rapid changes in the global competitive environment. This article critically investigates how the incorporation of digital technologies impacts the business modeling, organizational culture, and scalability of these innovative companies. Through a mixed methodological approach, which integrates qualitative analysis of case studies with quantitative surveys of Brazilian technology-based startups, the main factors that enhance or limit the role of digital transformation as a driver of entrepreneurship are identified. The results show that the strategic adoption of digital resources not only enables more agile and flexible processes, but also favors the experimentation of innovative models and access to global markets. However, challenges such as cultural resistance, limited digital skills in founding teams, and restrictions on access to specialized financing remain obstacles to the full materialization of digital benefits. It is concluded that, although digital transformation represents an indispensable condition for the survival and growth of startups, its impact depends on the alignment between strategy, leadership and training, as well as public policies that favor the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This article contributes to the academic debate by proposing an integrated view of the technological, human and institutional dimensions that condition the success of startups in the digital age, offering subsidies for both researchers and policy makers and managers in the sector.