Networks, Contexts and Ecosystems for Entrepreneurship 5 credits

Entrepreneurship and innovation rarely happen in a vacuum. Instead, entrepreneurs leverage networks of stakeholders, resources, and institutions—collectively known as entrepreneurial ecosystems. These ecosystems not only support the development of innovative and sustainable ventures but also drive regional economic growth, create employment opportunities, and accelerate technological advancement and the green transition. Since such ecosystems increasingly offer support for funding, talent, knowledge, and market access, understanding how these networks function and evolve has become critical for anyone working to foster innovation and entrepreneurial activity. Context defines the environment and conditions in which actors (e.g., entrepreneurs, organisations) operate and form relationships. Networks connect these actors within their ecosystem context. In this course, you will explore the dynamics and relations of entrepreneurial networks, ecosystems, and contexts. You will investigate the roles different stakeholders—such as entrepreneurs, investors, universities, government bodies, incubators, and accelerators—play in ecosystem development. You will also learn what characterises entrepreneurship across different contexts, including various types, industries, and regions. The course will also address how to develop networking competence, the ability to build and manage relationships to access resources and opportunities. By completing this course, you will be able to analyse network and ecosystem dynamics in different kinds of contexts and identify opportunities to strengthen them. You will recognise where different stakeholders contribute most effectively and understand where your own skills and interests align with networking and ecosystem-building roles. This knowledge prepares you for careers in diverse positions related to ecosystem development—from working with incubators and accelerators to roles in government agencies, universities, or organisations dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial growth and creating positive societal impact. <br> **Connection to Research ** In addition to more general theories of entrepreneurship and context, this course draws on the insights from specific research projects that JIBS has (had) in connection to its research profile “Entrepreneurship in Context.” **Connection to Practice ** The course exposes you to multiple ecosystem actors and challenges you to identify actionable recommendations for how to improve the support for entrepreneurs in the region. **Connection to Ethics, Responsibility, Sustainability (ERS) ** Contextualising entrepreneurship will broaden your perspective and expose you to a range of positive and negative impacts that can arise from engaging in different forms of entrepreneurship. Since ecosystem actors can channel attention and investment into some forms of entrepreneurship at the expense of others, it is necessary to become aware of how they directly and indirectly shape the impact of entrepreneurial activities.