About the study

The Emerging Entrepreneurial Ecosystems study explored how universities can develop effective technology-based entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly in environments without the advantages of established technology hubs such as Silicon Valley and Kendall Square.

The study combined interviews with 61 thought leaders from 20 countries with in-depth case studies of four emerging entrepreneurial universities: Aalto University, Imperial College London, Tomsk State University of Radioelectronics and Control Systems, and the University of Auckland. In all, almost 200 people were interviewed across the two phases of the study. 

The findings highlighted a number of characteristics associated with effective entrepreneurial transformation, including strong institutional leadership, an empowered student entrepreneurial community, supportive regional and national environments, and relationships of trust between universities and their external entrepreneurial communities. The study also identified two contrasting pathways to entrepreneurial development: a bottom-up, community-led model and a top-down, university-led model. Despite their different approaches, both models faced a common challenge: moving entrepreneurship from specialist support functions and grassroots activities into the core academic life of the university. 

Despite their different approaches, both models faced a common challenge: moving entrepreneurship from specialist support functions and grassroots activities into the core academic life of the university. The study concluded by identifying the building blocks of effective university entrepreneurial ecosystems and providing a practical checklist for institutions seeking to develop their own entrepreneurial capabilities.