Entrepreneurial Ecosystems in Unexpected Places

‘Entrepreneurship can make a difference in a society when its success stories are celebrated and its lessons learned are shared. By celebrating successes and extracting lessons, this text has the potential to engage more young people, experienced entrepreneurs and curious investors, and thus make a difference in the future of the region.’
—Bill Aulet, Senior Lecturer & MD, Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, USA, and Author of Disciplined Entrepreneurship (2013)

This book sheds light on one of the biggest development issues of our time: how the rise of entrepreneurship and the associated mindset is likely to unfold in unexpected places and change socio-economic and political fortunes. Focusing on the Balkan Peninsula, the authors explore the early success of young entrepreneurial ecosystems in the region and highlight the dangers of direct comparison with more mature entrepreneurial centres. Offering fresh insights, this brand new book presents an analytical overview of the entrepreneurial domain that enabled Bulgaria to become the start-up capital of the Balkans. With empirical data gathered from over 80 interviews and case studies, the authors address the needs of decision-makers and managers in many countries which are on the path towards nurturing entrepreneurial ecosystems.