The Role of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Driving Prosperity
Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (EEs) have emerged as critical catalysts for economic prosperity and social advancement in the contemporary global landscape (Isenberg, 2010; Mason and Brown, 2014). EEs are complex, adaptive systems composed of interconnected actors, institutions, and cultural elements that collectively foster the creation, growth, and sustainability of entrepreneurial ventures (Spigel and Harrison, 2018). They provide a fertile ground where innovative start-ups can flourish and high-growth entrepreneurship can thrive, thereby driving local competitiveness and innovation (Audretsch and Belitski, 2021).
Intermediary organizations, such as incubators, accelerators, and innovation hubs, are instrumental within EEs. They act as facilitators that bridge gaps between entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and other stakeholders (Ngongoni and Grobbelaar, 2017). By promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange, these intermediaries enhance value co-creation and contribute to the ecosystem’s dynamism. They provide critical support services, mentorship, and access to markets, which are essential for start-ups to overcome early-stage challenges. Despite their significant contributions, EEs are not without challenges.
This special issue aims to foster a multidisciplinary dialogue by bringing together cutting-edge research that sheds light on these critical areas, while uncovering strategies that contribute to sustainable economic and social development. We encourage contributions offering theoretical insights, empirical analyses, and case studies, as well as innovative methodological approaches to analyze the complexity of EEs and their impact on prosperity.
List of Topic Areas
- Entrepreneurial ecosystems
- Entrepreneurship
- Prosperity
- Competitiveness
- Regional economic development
- Social progress
- Sustainable development.
Submission Information
Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here:
Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see:
Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.
Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.
Key Deadlines
Closing date for manuscript submissions: 1 December 2025
For more details refer here

