Purpose - This study aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurship of start-ups on export performance when the business closure rate is higher than business start-up rate in Korea. Thus, this study analyzes various factors for start-ups established within the past seven years and uses export performance as an indicator. Prior to analysis of factors, the study defines the concepts of start-up factors based on various studies. Design/methodology - In order to analyze the export performance of startups, this study conducted an empirical analysis using statistical analysis. Theories were established based on previous studies, and hypotheses and research models were designed based on the established theories. Subsequently, in order to verify the research hypothesis and research model, factor analysis such as validity and reliability, and structural equation modeling were analyzed. Findings - As a result of analysis based on previous studies, we found that there is a difference between theoretical and practical aspects. Whereas previous studies showed that market orientation, technology orientation, and social capital have a direct impact on export performance, the present study analyzed that there is no such impact, and that technology capabilities were important as a result of the unique traits of start-ups. Originality/value - Existing studies have limitations in understanding the overall characteristics of a company by using market orientation, technology orientation, and social capital as individual independent variables. In addition, the existing researches have been analyzed in relation to corporate performance, whereas this study has been limited to export performance, so it can be regarded as different from other studies.