Smartphone Start-ups

This book provides detailed examination of start-up companies which entered the smartphone industry following the revolution triggered by Apple with its iPhone in 2007. Analytical case studies explore the rationale behind the business models, financing cycles, and factors that helped start-ups sustain their own growth and survival. By studying these companies through the lens of entrepreneurship and competitor analysis, the author investigates not only the opportunities that can arise from technological evolution, but also the uncertainty that has developed surrounding the industry’s future. Topics covered include value proposition development, evaluation of the effectiveness of business models, and market competition analysis, unveiling thought-provoking results about this rapidly changing industry. Scholars of entrepreneurship, business strategy and innovation management will find this timely book a valuable contribution to the field.

“This book is a fascinating journey through several cases of start-ups in the handset vendors business, focusing on the business idea, the financing cycle, the business model, and other factors that have encouraged or hindered the growth of these start-ups. Giachetti lays out a story that builds in an effective way on original material coming largely from interviews conducted over many years with managers, entrepreneurs, and experts of the industry. A 'must-read' for anyone interested in the strategies of start-ups in new industries.” (Alfonso Gambardella, Professor of Management, Bocconi University, Italy)

“As digitalization transforms every aspect of the economy and society, the smartphone and its technological descendants will enable the increasingly asset-light, knowledge-intensive business models of the future. Giachetti’s well-researched book is an in-depth analysis of the proliferation of the device as a mass market essential as well as a luxury good. It is essential readingfor researchers studying the smartphone sector and mobile technologies in general.” (Ram Mudambi, Frank M. Speakman Professor of Strategy, Fox School of Business, Temple University, US)

“Written by a long-time expert on the cell-phone sector, the book examines cases of start-ups that entered the industry following Apple’s iPhone. The analysis presented in the book is very insightful, and will be useful for future entrepreneurs, industry analysts, and academicians.” (Keun Lee, Professor of Economics, Seoul National University, South Korea)

“This book carefully analyzes the birth and evolution of the smartphone industry over the past 15 years, through the lens of the blue ocean strategy’s theory. Rationalizing the most important success stories, from the iPhone’s mobile market disruption to the Xiaomi’s business model innovation, as well as the many failures of players that never succeeded, it guides the reader to learn about the golden rules for a smartphone start-up toleverage market opportunities and lead new markets. A must-read for any entrepreneur in the mobile markets, and not only.” (Monica Basso, Research Vice President, Gartner)

Claudio Giachetti is Associate Professor of Strategy at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Italy. His primary research interests concern competitive dynamics and product innovation in rapidly changing technological and institutional environments. Claudio's research has been published in various journals, including Academy of Management Journal, Strategic Management Journal, Research Policy, Strategic Organization, and Long Range Planning, among others.