April 24th
from 14:30 to 17:30
Promoting Entrepreneurship 2025
Lessons learnt from research on supporting startup growth
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.
>> Smarter startup support: Lessons from research and the front lines
>> Incubating startup innovation with sophisticated models (ESP)
What makes startup support truly effective?
Startups face a complex journey from ideation to scaling, and the right support can make all the difference. Accelerators and incubators are widely used worldwide, but do they truly work?
Research reveals mixed results, some programs significantly boost startup survival, innovation, and funding prospects, while others fail to provide meaningful advantages. Understanding what works and why is crucial for anyone involved in entrepreneurship, from founders seeking support to policymakers shaping ecosystem strategies.
This edition
4
influencial speakers
96
new contacts
37
attendees
Speakers
Jan Brinckmann
Professor and Director of Esade's MIE program, Business Angel and Board member of several companies.
Esade Business School
What startups really need to succeed
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.
Incubation is getting smarter and more strategic
Today’s best incubators are nothing like they used to be. Forget generic workshops and shared desks. The new generation of incubation programs is highly focused, more selective, tech-enabled, and results-driven. Today’s leading incubators are more aligned with what startups actually need while redefining what startup support looks like:
- Selective by design. They don’t work with everyone. Instead, they identify high-potential teams with a clear vision and strong commitment, ensuring that resources go where they’ll have the most impact.
- Specialized and industry-aware. From AI to biotech to sustainability, the most effective incubators now offer domain-specific tracks, tailored to real-world industry challenges.
- Access is everything. It’s not just about offering office space. High-level incubation provides startups with access to cutting-edge labs, prototyping tools, expert advisors, and pilot opportunities with corporate partners.
Incubation today is not about scale; it’s about building better ventures with the right tools, people, and focus from day one.
Agenda
We will explore what it truly takes to support and scale the next generation of groundbreaking ventures. Join a discussion between researchers, accelerator managers, founders and entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders.
14:30 | Registration & coffee
15:00 | Welcome & presentation
15:05 | Keynote: facts, research and miths on accelerators and support for startup growth with Prof. Jan Brinckmann
15:50 | Panel session answering the big questions on accelerators.
16:50 | Closing & best practical insights
17:00 | Beers & networking
When and where?
Barcelona Activa
Carrer de la Llacuna, 162,
Sant Martí, 08018 Barcelona
Google Maps
Google Maps link.
Collaborators & partners
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This activity is a part of the PID2021-128460NA-I00 project, funded by AEI/10.13039/501100011033/ and ERDF “A way of shaping Europe” |