Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Case Studies of Islamic Creative Startups

Abstract

Research on innovation and entrepreneurship has largely been conducted within the context of conventional economics, where the primary focus is on creating competitive advantage and value based on technology. However, there has been little in-depth research on how Islamic principles are applied in modern entrepreneurship, particularly Islamic creative startups. Research on the relationship between Sharia values, innovation, and the dynamics of creative businesses in the digital era is urgently needed because of this discrepancy. This study aims to examine the application of Islamic entrepreneurial values ​​to innovation by Islamic-based creative startups and to identify ways to support business sustainability while adhering to Sharia principles. This research employed a qualitative methodology, and case studies were conducted on several Islamic creative startups in Indonesia. These startups included the Muslim fashion industry, halal apps, and Islamic digital content. Observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation analysis complemented the data collection. Furthermore, the Miles & Huberman interactive analysis model was used to process the data. The research findings show that creative Islamic startups, emphasizing halal (permissible), fairness, and social responsibility, can combine spiritual values ​​and business innovation through a values-based entrepreneurship concept. Limited capital and digital literacy are key challenges, but there are ample opportunities for growth as public awareness of the halal economy grows. This study adds to the literature on Islamic entrepreneurship and provides practical implications for business actors, Islamic financial institutions, and lawmakers in supporting a sustainable Islamic startup ecosystem.