DYNAMICS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS IN BRAZIL AND THE NETHERLANDS: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES TO FOSTER ECOSYSTEMS AND KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL FIRMS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Buarque, Brenno; Câmara, Samuel Façanha; Oukes, Tamara; Lopes Júnior, Elias Pereira

doi:10.1590/S0034-759020250309

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FORUM • Rev. adm. empres. 65 (3) • 2025 • https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-759020250309 linkcopy

DYNAMICS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS IN BRAZIL AND THE NETHERLANDS: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES TO FOSTER ECOSYSTEMS AND KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL FIRMS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

Dinámica de los ecosistemas emprendedores en Brasil y Países Bajos: El papel de las universidades en la promoción de estos ecosistemas y de empresas intensivas en conocimiento en el sur global

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

The literature on innovation policies for knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship presents results achieved at the macroeconomic level, discussing results based on indicators to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of these policies. There is still a need for research in this area at the micro and meso levels, analyzing and discussing these innovation policies in knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial (KIE) companies and entrepreneurial ecosystems. This study investigated the disparities between regional innovation and entrepreneurship policies in a developing country and a developed country, examining the support offered for entrepreneurial ecosystems and KIE firms. Interviews were carried out with researchers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs in the state of Ceará, Brazil, and in the region of Twente, in the Netherlands. In the Brazilian state, the policy aimed to build an entrepreneurial ecosystem with low maturity, connecting academia, government, and companies. In Twente, universities boosted innovation, attracting companies to technology parks and promoting knowledge flows through projects and businesses. The study offers insights on how universities in the Global South can contribute to develop entrepreneurial ecosystems, contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals 8 - Decent work and economic growth and 9 - Industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

Keywords:
knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship; innovation policy; entrepreneurship policy; dynamic capabilities; entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Script guiding interviews with Policymakers, KIE Firms, Knowledge-intensive Entrepreneurs, and ECIP’s Regional Researchers
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy
Topics addressed in the interview	Literature
Activities in the ECIP policy related to creation and development of KIE firms. Profile of target participants Role of stakeholders Evaluation of the policy Benefits and opportunities of improvements	Uyarra (2010); Stam (2015); Walsh (2019)
Development of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems
Stage of maturity of the entrepreneurial and innovative ecosystem Opportunities for development Challenges and gaps Role of universities	Patanakul & Pinto (2014); Stam (2015); Walsh (2019)
Dynamic Capabilities (Absorptive, Network, and Innovative)
Process of acquiring and developing new technology Development of business model Development of the minimum viable product Customer needs and market fit Connection with a partner from the industry Role of regional researcher	Groen (2005); Zahra & George (2002); Teece (2018)

Professional Profile	Twente Region	Ceará Region
Researchers from universities	4	10
Managers of KIE firms / entrepreneurs	8	22
Policymakers	3	20

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Fundação Getulio Vargas, Escola de Administração de Empresas de S.Paulo Avenida Nove de Julho, 2.029, Bela Vista, CEP: 01313-902, Telefone: +55 (11) 3799-7718 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: rae@fgv.br

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Themes	Twente	Ceará	Comparison
Entrepreneurship policy	Establish the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region	Establish the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the region	Similarity
	Training the workforce and retaining talent in the region	Training the workforce and retaining talent in the region	Similarity
	Develop the region’s economy	Develop the region’s economy	Similarity
Ecosystem	Facilitated the orchestration and institutionalization process	Orchestration and institutionalization were more difficult	Difference
Role of the government	The government initiates and orchestrates the entire policy and engages the stakeholders	The government initiates and orchestrates the entire policy and engages the stakeholders	Similarity
Role of the university	The execution of the policy is institutionalized across the university	Researchers have more autonomy and centrality in the implementation of the policy	Difference
	The university plays a central role in orchestrating the ecosystem	The university plays a central role in orchestrating the ecosystem	Similarity
	Coaching and mentoring are different for different firms	Coaching and mentoring are different for different firms	Similarity
	Training is tailored to specific companies	Training is for everyone and not tailored	Difference
	Universities act as mentors to develop the networking capabilities of nascent entrepreneurs	Universities act as mentors to develop the networking capabilities of nascent entrepreneurs	Similarity
	The university works with established firms on R&D projects	The university works with established firms on R&D projects	Similarity
Nascent entrepreneurs	Participate in innovation policy initiatives to develop their skills	Participate in innovation policy initiatives to develop their skills	Similarity
	Generally, not involved full-time in the startup	Generally, not involved full-time in the startup	Similarity
	Testing the MVP is a big challenge	Testing the MVP is a big challenge	Similarity
Established firms	Participate in the innovation policy invitation to get funding	Participate in the innovation policy invitation to get funding	Similarity
	It is common to collaborate with universities on R&D outside the firm	Collaboration with universities on R&D outside the firm is not common	Difference
	To absorb new knowledge in an open innovation environment is a big challenge	To absorb new knowledge in an open innovation environment is a big challenge	Similarity