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Purpose: This study aims to identify the development, trends and research gaps related to start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, this research identified future research directions. Design/methodology/approach: This research is a bibliometric study using 192 Scopus-indexed articles with the assistance of the VOSviewer. The selected articles discussed start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic and were published between 2020 and 2022. The analyses included initial statistics on publication trend, distribution of research field, most productive journals, most productive authors, most cited article, geographic distribution, multinational collaboration and science. Findings: Between 2020 and 2022, the literature on start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic has increased. Most articles are in Business, Management and Accounting, Economics, Econometrics and Finance and Social Sciences. Regarding geographic distribution and multinational collaboration, the USA, India and the UK led the numbers. The UK was also the forerunner in research collaboration. Based on the science mapping results, COVID-19, fintech, entrepreneurship and innovation were the most simultaneously used keywords. Furthermore, this study also identified that there is a lack of study regarding consumer behavior, employee behavior and quality management of start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications: This research also has several limitations. First, this research only used the Scopus database. Even though Scopus has advantages compared to other databases, combining the Scopus database with other databases will be able to provide more comprehensive data. However, there is a risk associated with combining two or more databases, namely, duplication. When using more than one database, researchers must ensure no repetition of the articles used because it will affect the analysis results. Future research can consider combining the Scopus database with other databases. Second, this bibliometric study covered the publication of start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing. This condition indicated that several research on start-ups during COVID-19 are still being performed and will be published. Thus, future bibliometric study start-ups during COVID-19 were needed to update the trend of the research on start-ups during COVID-19. Practical implications: The bibliometric study provided at least two main practical implications that can be used to support the growth of start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. First, this research has mapped the existing literature on start-ups during the COVID-19 pandemic. This information can be used as input for start-up practitioners and policymakers when they need scientific reference and evidence in developing a policy and/or a management action/program needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, this research highlighted several clusters of keywords that are attracted many researchers. These keywords can be viewed as important issues that are needed to be monitored by start-up practitioners and policymakers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Social implications: Start-ups have an important role in economic development. It is well known that start-ups can boost productivity and economic growth. As start-ups tend to use technology, it also has an important role in disrupting traditional economic practices. Start-ups may also offer a more convenient life. Furthermore, the availability of start-ups may also increase the quality of life of the people that are serviced by the start-ups. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first bibliometric study that discussed start-ups during the pandemic. It provided a comprehensive literature review process to identify research gaps that allowed future researchers to develop studies related to start-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]