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upstart

upstart

5 6.0
A new company that grows fast and challenges bigger companies
  • noun
  • /ˈʌpˌstɑrt/
translation icon : startup
  • The new upstart quickly gained popularity by offering innovative products that challenged the industry leaders.
  • first-time upstarts

And the answer is that Big Pharma wants to keep it that way because that stops new upstarts from bringing competition to market.

Examples

  • Many upstarts in the food industry are changing how consumers think about healthy eating.

  • Otherwise, the lightweight upstarts will build the solutions for you from the ground up.

    Blog text (15)

  • Not just radio networks, but movie theaters, nightclubs, and restaurants were losing business to the upstart.

    Academic text (2007)

  • And while this article has focused mainly on the large players in the field, there are a handful of upstarts hoping to make a splash with new technology.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Udacity isn't the first upstart to offer a money-back guarantee.

    Academic text (2016)

  • Embrace publishing upstarts like reKiosk and Powells (full disclosure: I am one of the founders of the former).

    Blog text (12)

  • Investors are excited about the tech upstart that just launched a groundbreaking app.

Synonyms

startup
vsupstart
169 3.6

A new company that aims to grow quickly, often in technology

focuses on rapid challenge and disruptive growth rather than mere newness
fledgling startup
vsupstart
4.2

A new small company in early stages, often using new technology

shows faster growth and aims to challenge established competitors

Antonyms

established
4.2

Known and accepted because it has existed for a long time

How Disruptive

disruptor
1 6.3
unicorn
  • Jargon
7 6.5
upstart
5 6.0
startup
169 3.6

Surface Forms

upstart singular
upstarts plural

Morphology

upstart = up + start (semi-transparent) = up + start

The compound sense 'a company that has risen quickly' follows the literal notion of rising/start-up, but the business-specific sense (disruptive challenger) carries extra connotations.

Etymology

Upstart When used for a company, upstart also comes from up- and start, meaning 'a new thing that rises quickly'. Think of a modern startup that begins small and suddenly challenges big firms, which is why an upstart company feels bold and disruptive.