The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research Winter School brings together scholars to discuss academic advancements in the emerging research field of entrepreneurial ecosystems (see e.g. Stam 2015; Wurth et al. 2019; Theodoraki 2024). Early-career scholars, including PhD candidates, are particularly invited to participate and present their work. Previous editions have been held in Utrecht, Casablanca, Paris and Stuttgart.

In this edition of the Research Winter School, we aim to provide a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to meet, network with international scholars from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) teams over the world, collaborate, and test research ideas with fellow academics involved in research on the configurations, mechanisms, and evolutionary dynamics of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems. 

The event will be held in Bilbao, Spain, and is hosted by Universidad del Pais Vasco in collaboration with GEM and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research School (EERS) lead team. Expect a dynamic three-day program featuring intensive feedback sessions, interactive workshops, and discussions with leading academics and peers worldwide. 

Topics: 

• Explore relational, organizational and economic perspectives of entrepreneurial ecosystems 

• The evolutionary and longitudinal dynamics of entrepreneurial ecosystems 

• The specificities of non-western Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (big south, low income countries, etc.)

• Unlocking the structure, configuration and value chain mechanisms of entrepreneurial ecosystems

• Ethic, inclusiveness and social dimensions of entrepreneurial ecosystems 

• Theoretical challenges towards entrepreneurial ecosystem research 

• Methods for entrepreneurial ecosystem research, with a specific interest in novel and unexplored approaches

The program will include: 

• Keynote Sessions: Erik Stam (Utrecht University), Niels Bosma (Utrecht University), Didier Chabaud (Sorbonne Business School), Gregory Gueneau (ADALIA Institute), Christina Theodoraki (IAE de Aix Marseille) ... and more to come

• Paper Development Workshops 

• A Meet the Editors Session: Erik Stam (ET&P), Christina Theodoraki (SBEJ, SBM, RIPME) ... and more to come

• A Methods Workshop

• Bridged Tracks with GEM annual meeting 2025, including launch of the GEM 2024-2025 Report

• An Interactive Session to discuss the future of entrepreneurial ecosystem research

The Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Winter School invites PhD students, early-career and advanced scholars engaged in Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research. Participants are encouraged to submit their abstracts and papers prior to attendance, facilitating in-depth paper development workshops at the school. These collaborative sessions with experienced and peer scholars will accelerate the refinement of your work and enrich the discourse in the field. Projects that are still in the early stages are also very welcome!

Submit your abstract via : 

https://eerws25.sciencesconf.org/submission/submit

Attendance: 

We encourage accepted attendees to participate physically in Bilbao. Exceptions can be considered for online participation (hybrid). To attend the Winter School as a non-presenter, please indicate your interest to eers@adalia.ma before the event, and participation will be confirmed based on availability.

Fees: 

• A registration fee of per participant of  (physical attendance) and 100€ (online attendance) contributes to cover the costs (gala dinner, lunches and coffee breaks included). 

• Accepted participants need to take charge of the traveling costs and accommodation in Bilbao. 

Partners :     

Scientific Committee: 

1. EERS Lead team : Erik Stam (Utrecht University, Netherlands), Niels Bosma (Utrecht University, Netherlands), Didier Chabaud (Sorbonne Business School, France), Christina Theodoraki (IAE Aix Marseille, France), Grégory Guéneau (Adalia Institute, Morocco)
2. Local Team : Ana Fernández Laviada (Universidad de Cantabria), Iñaki Peña Legazkue (Universidad de Deusto), Maria Saiz (University of the Basque Country)
3. Partners : Christophe Schmitt (Université de Lorraine)

Timeline: 

• Deadline for abstract submission:
  Tuesday, 10 December 2024, 23:59 CET 

• Decision for abstract acceptance:
  Monday, 16 December 2024

• Deadline for registration (as a presenter or attendance only):
  Friday, 10 January 2025, 23:59 CET 

• Deadline for submission of final paper/updated abstract:
  Friday, 24 January 2025, 23:59 CET 

• Program available: Friday, 31 January, 2025
  

References :

• Cosenz, F., Noto, G. and Cavallo, A. (2024) ‘Understanding the Microfoundations of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Toward a Value-Based Method and Theory’, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, 71, pp. 7298–7310. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2023.3275097.
• Gueneau, G., Chabaud, D. and Chalus-sauvannet, M.-C. (2021) ‘Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Power of Networks : central role impact in low income countries’, Academy of Management Proceedings, 2021(1), p. 13891. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2021.13891abstract.
• Leendertse, J., Schrijvers, M. and Stam, E. (2021) ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Metrics’, Research Policy, p. 104336. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2021.104336.
• Neumeyer, X., Shan He and Santos, S.C. (2017) ‘The social organization of entrepreneurial ecosystems’, in 2017 IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Conference (TEMSCON). 2017 IEEE Technology & Engineering Management Conference (TEMSCON), Santa Clara, CA, USA: IEEE, pp. 1–6. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1109/TEMSCON.2017.7998345.
• Perugini, F. (2023) ‘Space–time analysis of entrepreneurial ecosystems’, The Journal of Technology Transfer, 48(1), pp. 240–291. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-021-09906-w.
• Rocha, H. and Audretsch, D.B. (2022) ‘Entrepreneurial ecosystems, regional clusters, and industrial districts: Historical transformations or rhetorical devices?’, The Journal of Technology Transfer [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-022-09920-6.
• Schrijvers, M., Stam, E., & Bosma, N. (2024). Figuring it out: Configurations of high-performing entrepreneurial ecosystems in Europe. Regional Studies, 58(5), 1096-1110. https://doi.org/10.1080/00343404.2023.2226727 
• Spigel, B. (2022) ‘Examining the cohesiveness and nestedness entrepreneurial ecosystems: evidence from British FinTechs’, Small Business Economics [Preprint]. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-021-00589-z.
• Theodoraki, C. (2024), Building Entrepreneurial Ecosystems Sustainably, Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship, 20(4), 300-396. DOI: 10.1561/0300000128. 
• Wurth, B., Stam, E. and Spigel, B. (2021) ‘Toward an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Research Program’, Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, p. 104225872199894. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258721998948.