Analysis of start-up development registered in the associations in the Baltic States

This research paper focuses on start-ups. The topicality of the research is based on economic development requirements and trends. Development of start-ups is an important chain link in the innovation system and promotes the change of the paradigm to modern and innovative economy. The aim of the research is to study start-up associations in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia and analyze start-ups registered in databases of these associations. Tasks of the research are the following: to carry out a theoretical analysis of Latvian, Lithuanian and Estonian start-up associations and start-ups; to study the variables that characterize start-ups registered in start-up associations in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia; to perform data analysis and visualize results; to present conclusions and proposals for further research. Research covers data about start-ups founded in the period from 2011 until 2021 and included in Baltic start-up association databases. General scientific research methods used in the research are the monographic or descriptive research, the comparative analysis and the descriptive statistics. Research authors conclude that Latvian association of start-ups is different from counterparts in Lithuania and Estonia. It might be assumed that it affects the divergence of the number of start-ups registered in databases. In Latvia, this number is almost 10 times lower than in other Baltic states.