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Astropreneurship in the New Space Economy: The Interplay of External Conditions Enabling Entrepreneurs

Ackerlauer, Arnold LU and Divkovic, Antonio LU (2025) ENTN19 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
The emergence of the New Space Economy has transformed the European space sector, fostering a surge in entrepreneurial activity known as astropreneurship. This thesis explores the key external conditions shaping the emergence and development of astropreneurial ventures in Europe, using the External Enablement Framework (EEF) to analyze how External Enablers (EEs) facilitate new venture creation. Through semi-structured interviews with 22 astropreneurs and ecosystem actors, we identify eleven EEs across four dimensions: dual-use opportunities, accessible downstream technology, sustainability-driven demand, and public support systems. These EEs activate mechanisms such as resource expansion, compression, and demand creation. We propose a... (More)
The emergence of the New Space Economy has transformed the European space sector, fostering a surge in entrepreneurial activity known as astropreneurship. This thesis explores the key external conditions shaping the emergence and development of astropreneurial ventures in Europe, using the External Enablement Framework (EEF) to analyze how External Enablers (EEs) facilitate new venture creation. Through semi-structured interviews with 22 astropreneurs and ecosystem actors, we identify eleven EEs across four dimensions: dual-use opportunities, accessible downstream technology, sustainability-driven demand, and public support systems. These EEs activate mechanisms such as resource expansion, compression, and demand creation. We propose a novel conceptualization of EE interplay, introducing supplementary and complementary EE mechanism sets to explain how multiple EEs combine to amplify or synergize enabling effects. This study advances the EEF by offering a nuanced understanding of mechanism interactions and provides empirical insights into the European astropreneurial ecosystem. Practically, it informs astropreneurs, policymakers, and investors on leveraging these conditions for strategic decision-making. Future research should aim to empirically validate the proposed external enabler mechanism sets and to further theorize their interplay, hierarchical structures, and interactions with entrepreneurial agents. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Ackerlauer, Arnold LU and Divkovic, Antonio LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Astropreneurship, New Space Economy, External Enablement Framework, External Enablers, Entrepreneurship, European Space Sector, Venture Creation
language
English
id
9209504
date added to LUP
2025-08-18 13:28:00
date last changed
2025-08-18 13:28:00
@misc{9209504,
  abstract     = {{The emergence of the New Space Economy has transformed the European space sector, fostering a surge in entrepreneurial activity known as astropreneurship. This thesis explores the key external conditions shaping the emergence and development of astropreneurial ventures in Europe, using the External Enablement Framework (EEF) to analyze how External Enablers (EEs) facilitate new venture creation. Through semi-structured interviews with 22 astropreneurs and ecosystem actors, we identify eleven EEs across four dimensions: dual-use opportunities, accessible downstream technology, sustainability-driven demand, and public support systems. These EEs activate mechanisms such as resource expansion, compression, and demand creation. We propose a novel conceptualization of EE interplay, introducing supplementary and complementary EE mechanism sets to explain how multiple EEs combine to amplify or synergize enabling effects. This study advances the EEF by offering a nuanced understanding of mechanism interactions and provides empirical insights into the European astropreneurial ecosystem. Practically, it informs astropreneurs, policymakers, and investors on leveraging these conditions for strategic decision-making. Future research should aim to empirically validate the proposed external enabler mechanism sets and to further theorize their interplay, hierarchical structures, and interactions with entrepreneurial agents.}},
  author       = {{Ackerlauer, Arnold and Divkovic, Antonio}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Astropreneurship in the New Space Economy: The Interplay of External Conditions Enabling Entrepreneurs}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}