recherches économiques
Volume 20, Numéro 2, Pages 88-107
2025-12-31
From Start-up To Smart-up: The Role Of Ai Maturity In Scaling Uk Tech Startups
Authors : Belhadj Djilali Kamel . Boukhedimi Fatima Zahra .
Abstract
The growing influence of artificial intelligence in the startup world has sparked renewed interest in how early-stage ventures approach AI—not just in terms of adoption, but also in how they signal and structure that capability. While several models exist to measure AI maturity, most are geared toward large organizations and don’t quite fit the realities of young, fast-moving startups. This study introduces a framework we call the Smart-Up Maturity Model (SMM), developed to assess AI maturity in startups based on what can be observed publicly across four practical areas: how AI is used in products, internal operations, team skills, and overall strategy. We applied the model to 20 AI-focused startups in the UK and complemented this with qualitative insights drawn from founder interviews. The results point to a loose connection between AI maturity and factors like funding and team growth—but the patterns weren’t always linear.
Keywords
Keywords: AI maturity, Startups, Smart-Up Maturity Model, Digital transformation, UK AI strategy.
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