Burning Passion or a Career Shortcut? What motivates individuals to join and work in a start-up?

Abstract: Purpose: This thesis aims to understand the deeper reasoning behind the individual’s decision to join and work in a start-up. This ought to bring insights into what founders should focus on when designing strategies for attracting and retaining employees in early-stage start-ups. Methodology: For this study 10 interviews with joiners in early-stage start-ups were conducted. We apply an inductive qualitative method to explore the motives behind the joiner’s decision-making. This research also integrates a longitudinal approach, to allow for an understanding of how motivation develops over time. Findings: The findings show that development and passion are important motivational factors that help overcome doubts about engaging in start-ups. Development appears to be more important in the short term, while passion becomes more significant in the long term. Practical implications: This study provides practical implications on how start-up founders can attract and retain employees. We suggest founders to not solely focus on compensation, but also consider how they can create and stimulate the motivational factors development and passion. Founders need to enable the joiners to develop with new tasks and responsibilities and maintain their passion by ensuring that the joiner can be part of building the company while acknowledging their contributions.