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Driving Sustainable Growth: The Role of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Startups in Secondary Cities in Europe.

Wohltmann, Lucas LU and Hoyng, Pim LU (2025) ENTN19 20251
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
This thesis investigates how startups in Tier 2 European cities achieve
sustainable growth by engaging with their local entrepreneurial
ecosystems. While prior research has largely focused on major capital
cities, this study aims to understand how emerging urban canters with
less mature infrastructures can still support high-growth
entrepreneurial activity. A qualitative research design was employed, based on semi-structured
interviews with eleven startup founders and key decision-makers
across various industries in Tier 2 cities. The Gioia methodology
guided the analysis, enabling inductive theory development through
coding of first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregate
dimensions. The study identifies four key... (More)
This thesis investigates how startups in Tier 2 European cities achieve
sustainable growth by engaging with their local entrepreneurial
ecosystems. While prior research has largely focused on major capital
cities, this study aims to understand how emerging urban canters with
less mature infrastructures can still support high-growth
entrepreneurial activity. A qualitative research design was employed, based on semi-structured
interviews with eleven startup founders and key decision-makers
across various industries in Tier 2 cities. The Gioia methodology
guided the analysis, enabling inductive theory development through
coding of first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregate
dimensions. The study identifies four key dimensions through which startups
interact with their ecosystems: (1) activating local entrepreneurial
networks, (2) driving venture development, (3) leveraging location-
based factors, and (4) utilizing local support structures. Rather than
simply overcoming limitations compared to Tier 1 cities, founders
leverage the distinctive strengths of Tier 2 environments such as
personal networks, regional specializations, and accessible
institutional support to build sustainable ventures. The thesis contributes to entrepreneurial ecosystem literature by
offering an empirical framework that captures the adaptive strategies
startups employ in underrepresented geographic contexts. It extends
the understanding of how location, founder agency, and systemic
conditions intersect to influence startup growth. Practical insights are
also provided for policymakers and ecosystem developers seeking to
strengthen regional innovation ecosystems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wohltmann, Lucas LU and Hoyng, Pim LU
supervisor
organization
course
ENTN19 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Entrepreneurial ecosystems, Tier 2 cities, sustainable growth, startups, qualitative research, regional development, innovation strategy
language
English
id
9203584
date added to LUP
2025-06-24 10:01:29
date last changed
2025-06-24 10:01:29
@misc{9203584,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates how startups in Tier 2 European cities achieve
sustainable growth by engaging with their local entrepreneurial
ecosystems. While prior research has largely focused on major capital
cities, this study aims to understand how emerging urban canters with
less mature infrastructures can still support high-growth
entrepreneurial activity. A qualitative research design was employed, based on semi-structured
interviews with eleven startup founders and key decision-makers
across various industries in Tier 2 cities. The Gioia methodology
guided the analysis, enabling inductive theory development through
coding of first-order concepts, second-order themes, and aggregate
dimensions. The study identifies four key dimensions through which startups
interact with their ecosystems: (1) activating local entrepreneurial
networks, (2) driving venture development, (3) leveraging location-
based factors, and (4) utilizing local support structures. Rather than
simply overcoming limitations compared to Tier 1 cities, founders
leverage the distinctive strengths of Tier 2 environments such as
personal networks, regional specializations, and accessible
institutional support to build sustainable ventures. The thesis contributes to entrepreneurial ecosystem literature by
offering an empirical framework that captures the adaptive strategies
startups employ in underrepresented geographic contexts. It extends
the understanding of how location, founder agency, and systemic
conditions intersect to influence startup growth. Practical insights are
also provided for policymakers and ecosystem developers seeking to
strengthen regional innovation ecosystems.}},
  author       = {{Wohltmann, Lucas and Hoyng, Pim}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Driving Sustainable Growth: The Role of Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Startups in Secondary Cities in Europe.}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}