Building Founding Teams in Educational Start-ups: An HR Leadership Perspective

Abstract

This article explores the critical role of human resources (HR) leadership in founding and establishing educational start-ups. The article examines three key dimensions: (a) the formation and selection of founding teams, (b) the development of organisational culture and values in early-stage institutions, and (c) practical challenges and strategies for HR leaders in educational start-ups. The findings reveal that successful founding teams prioritise chemistry and complementary skills over technical competencies alone, that organisational values should emerge organically after basic systems are established, and that HR leaders in educational start-ups must possess multi-functional capabilities beyond traditional HR domains. The article provides actionable insights for founders and HR professionals entering the educational start-up ecosystem.