Promoting Entrepreneurship 2025

This year’s Promoting Entrepreneurship event brings together leading researchers, founders, and key stakeholders to explore the latest insights on fostering high-growth, high-impact ventures. Professor Jan Brinckmann will introduce findings from groundbreaking studies, including a meta-analysis of over 55,000 incubated firms and an empirical study covering nearly 23,000 startups across 175 countries. Through engaging discussions, we will examine:

• The real impact of incubators and accelerators on survival, innovation, and financial growth.
• How startup support programs shape investor confidence and improve resource acquisition.
• Key mechanisms that drive—or hinder—startup success, offering valuable insights for ecosystem builders.

This event equips entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors with evidence-based strategies to build stronger, more effective startup ecosystems by bridging rigorous research with real-world applications.

Behind every successful startup, there’s usually the right kind of support at the right time.

Recent insights from founders, researchers, and ecosystem leaders suggest a clear conclusion: generic programs are no longer sufficient.

• Support needs to be tailored. A startup that just launched doesn’t need the same help as one preparing to scale. Programs that adapt to each stage are far more effective.
• Mentorship and networks are often more valuable than funding. Getting advice from experienced founders or a warm intro to the right partner can unlock opportunities that money alone can’t.
• Learning fast beats getting everything perfect. The best support encourages startups to test, learn, and adapt quickly, instead of waiting for a “perfect” plan.

A main takeaway? Smart support focuses on what truly helps founders move forward. It’s about building better ventures with the right tools, people, and focus from day one. A great example is eWorks.