Intellectual capital versus the development of start–ups

Objectives. The paper aims to develop a theoretical model focused on the relationships between ecosystem and intellectual capital of start–up (REICS), by investigating the characterization of the model components with particular emphasis on intellectual resources. Additionally, the paper intends to present the methodological basis of comparative research between countries based on the dependency model of REICS, including objectives and research problems. Methodology. Critical analysis of the literature on entrepreneurship, development of start–ups, intellectual capital. Use of the deduction method for constructing the REICS model and the charac- teristics of the constituent elements. Findings. The study provide an original model of dependencies between the start–up ecosystem and its intellectual capital as well as proprietary proposition of research methodology. Research limits. The limitation is the level of knowledge about intellectual capital and the complex- ity of management of start–ups. The second limitation is only the theoretical dimension of scientific exploration. Therefore, the study represents the introduction to proper empirical research. Practical implications. The article presents knowledge about the relationship between the start–up ecosystem and its intellectual capital, which indicates the directions of development activities oriented to the success of the start–up. Originality of the study. Trying to fill the existing gap in the literature, the article contributes to emphasizing the role of intellectual capital and the start–up ecosystem in its development. It also presents a research procedure allowing to verify the proposed REICS model in practice.