In this section
@article{Stoffer:2026:10.1111/caim.70083,
author = {Stoffer, R and Ulas, GO and Demirel, P},
doi = {10.1111/caim.70083},
journal = {Creativity and Innovation Management},
title = {Implementing Design Thinking in EarlyStage StartUp Innovation Processes: The Case of MedTech/HealthTech Sector},
url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/caim.70083},
year = {2026}
}
TY - JOUR
AB - <jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title> <jats:p>Although the value of design thinking (DT) in the innovation processes of large organisations is widely examined within the literature, its role and value for earlystage startup innovation processes remains less well understood. This study investigates how startup founders implement DT practices in the earlystage startup innovation processes in UKbased MedTech/HealthTech startups using 38 semistructured interviews with startup founders, DT experts and investors. The key findings shed light on the limited use of DT within the timepressured context of startup ecosystems and call for unique adaptations that can better support startup firms to benefit from DT. Furthermore, the study highlights the challenges in implementing DT in highly regulated contexts, like the MedTech/HealthTech sector, where stringent regulations limit user engagement of innovators during experimentation. The study contributes to the theoretical DT literature by extending insights on the barriers to the effective implementation of DT in different organisational and sectoral contexts. Additionally, it provides practitioner insights directed to entrepreneurship educators such as startup accelerators and incubators for better deployment of DT education for entrepreneurs.</jats:p>
AU - Stoffer,R
AU - Ulas,GO
AU - Demirel,P
DO - 10.1111/caim.70083
PY - 2026///
SN - 0963-1690
TI - Implementing Design Thinking in EarlyStage StartUp Innovation Processes: The Case of MedTech/HealthTech Sector
T2 - Creativity and Innovation Management
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/caim.70083
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/caim.70083
ER -