Emerging entrepreneurial ecosystems

Commissioned by: MIT and Skolkovo Institute of Technology (Skoltech)
Project conducted: 2013 – 2014
Report published: June 2014

Governments across the world are looking to technology innovation as a driver for national economic growth, and to universities as the incubators of this national capacity. Universities operating within established technology hubs, such as Silicon Valley and Kendall Square in the US, offer robust models for success within these environments. In addition, an increasing number of universities located within more challenging environments are establishing strong entrepreneurial profiles and reputations, some of whom will undoubtedly become future national and international leaders.

A phased benchmarking study was commissioned by the MIT/Skoltech Initiative to draw on the experiences of these emerging leaders and gain insight into the conditions and strategies associated with successful entrepreneurial transformations for universities operating in more challenging environments. The study was informed by almost 200 interviews with individuals with an in-depth knowledge of some of the world’s most highly-regarded university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems. As such, the study as a whole paints a unique picture of the opportunities and constraints facing emerging entrepreneurial universities across the world.

To cite this report, please use: Graham, R. H. (2014). Creating university-based entrepreneurial ecosystems: evidence from emerging world leaders. Cambridge, MA: Massachusetts Institute of Technology.