Barriers and Enablers to Adopting Digital Tools for Entrepreneurial Idea Evaluation among Early-Stage Entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Digital tools for entrepreneurial idea evaluation offer structured analysis, automated scoring, and guided feasibility assessments. However, adoption of these tools among early-stage entrepreneurs in developing countries remains limited. This exploratory study investigates the barriers to using digital tools for entrepreneurial idea evaluation in Sri Lanka. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis was conducted with 12 participants, including micro-business owners, freelancers, online startup founders, and university-level aspiring entrepreneurs. Thematic analysis revealed four key barriers including limited awareness of evaluation methods and digital tools, usability and accessibility challenges, emotional and psychological factors such as fear and uncertainty, and strong demand for simplified, culturally relevant, and guided solutions. Findings highlight a mismatch between existing tools primarily designed for developed markets and the needs of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs, who seek beginner-friendly platforms that build confidence and support decision-making. This study contributes to understanding digital adoption barriers in a developing-country context and identifies opportunities for designing tailored digital evaluation platforms. Limitations include the small, non-random sample and potential education-related bias, which restrict generalizability; however, the study provides valuable insights for future research, tool design, and policy development.