Available online at www.worldscientificnews.com WSN 87 (2017) 1-11 EISSN 2392-2192 Three learning loops. Knowledge management in hi-tech start-up companies Michał Adamczyk AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, Department of Organisational Management, Human Resources Management and Economic Law, 10 Gramatyka Str., 30-067 Cracow, Poland E-mail address: michal.adamczyk@agh.edu.pl ABSTRACT Paper discusses phenomena of knowledge acquisition and management in contemporary small innovative organizations on the example of Polish hi-tech start-ups. Exploratory empirical studies have been conducted in Krakow. Ten semi-structured interviews were analyzed with employment of Grounded Theory. As a result, start-up’s knowledge management model has been described, as combination of three learning loops, corresponding to three different sources of knowledge: customers, other start-up community members and investors. Keywords: start-up, grounded theory, learning organization, new venture team 1. INTRODUCTION Knowledge economy and innovation are becoming more and more important categories in organizational management. Contemporary organizations focus more on delivering innovative value to customers rather than generating profits. This ‘paradigm shift’, include dynamic self-organizing team working with iterative approach (Denning, 2013). Technology start-ups are also important elements of economical development in eyes of Polish officials. Government institutions have developed some instruments for supporting this type of activity.