Entrepreneurship

Ongoing Projects

ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEMS

Women Entrepreneurs & Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: An intersectional perspective on entrepreneurial ecosystems in Colombia, Germany and Switzerland

The project is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation SNSF (02/2024 – 01/2028).

This international research project explores the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Colombia, Germany, and Switzerland, focusing on inclusion and exclusion within entrepreneurial ecosystems. We emphasize how intersectional factors — such as socioeconomic background, gender, race, migration status, and care responsibilities — shape their entrepreneurial journeys. Our aim is to better understand the challenges they face and the strategies they employ to foster more inclusive and supportive ecosystems across diverse contexts.

PhD Student: Micaela Lois

More information: https://we-eco.unibe.ch/

Contact: micaela.lois@unibe.ch  

TRANSFORMATIVE ENTERPRISES

Analysing transformative enterprises in the wood processing industry

The project is co-financed by the Wyss Academy for Nature Hub Bern.

In the face of major challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change, the question of a profound change towards an economy within planetary boundaries arises. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can become important actors of this change as so-called ‘transformative enterprises’. In this research project, we analyse transformative enterprises using the example of the wood processing industry in the canton of Bern (CH) and in Vorarlberg (AUT).

PhD student: Miriam Hug

Publications:

Hug, M., Mayer, H., & Seidl, I. (2022). Transformative enterprises: Characteristics and a definition. Geography Compass. https://doi.org/10.1111/gec3.12667

Hug, Miriam, Mayer, Heike, & Seidl, Irmi (2024). Transformative firm-level agency: A case study of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Swiss wood-processing industry. Progress in Economic Geography, 2, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peg.2024.100020

Factsheet Research Project (German) (PDF, 1.5 MB)

Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

Karte Basel

Mapping and Visualizing Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

We are engaged in mapping and visualizing regional entrepreneurial ecosystems. We utilize novel web applications and design solutions to illustrate how startups and spinoffs evolve in regional economies. For an example, see the visual we helped create about Basel's Life Sciences Cluster

 

 

 

We have developed visualizations for cities in the United States. They can be downloaded here:

Portland, Oregon: Silicon Forest Universe (2003) (PDF, 891KB) Portland, Oregon: Silicon Forest Universe (2008) (PDF, 649KB) Portland, Oregon: Athletic & Outdoor Industry (2010) (PDF, 288KB) Kansas City: High Tech and Life Sciences (2012) (PDF, 17.4 MB) Boise, Idaho: High Tech Industry (2007) (PDF, 707KB) Seattle, Washington: Puget Sound Tech Industry (2008) (PDF, 3.6 MB)

Completed Projects

Entrepreneurship in Peripheral Regions: Understanding the Role of Entrepreneurial Heritage and Embeddedness in Swiss Non-Metropolitan Areas

 Entrepreneurship in Peripheral Regions: Understanding the Role of Entrepreneurial Heritage and Embeddedness in Swiss Non-Metropolitan Areas
Timeline  January 2014 – December 2017
 Funding  Schweizerischer National Fond (SNF)
 Description Entrepreneurship and innovation are important dynamics for the development of peripheral regions. The research examines entrepreneurial dynamics in Swiss non-metropolitan areas from an evolutionary economic geography perspective. The study compares three peripheral areas and collect longitudinal data on entrepreneurial heritage and embeddedness. We employ a multiple embedded case study methodology and combine qualitative and historical data analysis with quantitative methods for identifying factors responsible for economic development of peripheral areas.
Involved researchers
  • Heike Mayer, University of Bern
  • Ron Boschma, Lund University (Sweden) & Utrecht University (Netherlands)
  • Sandra Bürcher, University of Bern
  • Antoine Habersetzer, University of Bern

Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Second Tier High Tech Regions in The United States

Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Second Tier High Tech Regions in The United States
 Funding Various foundations such as the Smith Richardson Foundation, Kauffman Foundation, The Brookings Institution etc.
 Description Second tier high-tech regions such as Portland (Oregon), Boise (Idaho), Kansas City (Kansas/Missouri), etc. have developed in the shadow of Silicon Valley or Boston`s Route 128. These regions typically lack a world-class research university and large amounts of venture capital. This research examines entrepreneurial ecosystems in second tier regions and we visualize the genealogy of entrepreneurial firms.
 Involved Researchers
  • Heike Mayer, University of Bern
  • Elizabeth Mack, Michigan State University
  • Joseph Cortright, Impresa Inc.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Portland`s Athletic and Outdoor Gear Industry

 Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Portland`s Athletic and Outdoor Gear Industry
Timeline  2009-2010
 Funding  Portland Development Commission
 Description  The athletic and outdoor industry cluster in Portland is especially appropriate for a study about the role of consumption, culture and community in cluster emergence. The cluster consists of a group of innovative, world-class firms that design, market and distribute footwear, apparel and related gear for sports, recreation and active lifestyles. It has diversified  through entrepreneurial spinoff processes and firms moving to the region. We examined these dynamics through expert interviews, focus groups and through a visualization of spinoff dynamics.
Involved researchers
  • Heike Mayer, University of Bern
  • Joseph Cortright, Impresa Inc.
 Link Visualization

Women and Minority Entrepreneurship

 Women and Minority Entrepreneurship
Timeline  2007-2008
 Funding  Diverse sources such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, Kauffman Foundation, etc.
 Description  Entrepreneurship plays an important role in stimulating urban and regional development. When we think of the “typical entrepreneur” we tend to imagine a white male operating a high-tech business in Silicon Valley. However, women and minority constitute a new and diverse group of entrepreneurs. We examine the geographic context in which women and minorities are entrepreneurially active.
Involved researchers
  • Heike Mayer, University of Bern
  • Darrene Hackler, George Mason University
  • Ellen Harpel, Smart Incentives
  • Christiana McFarland, National League of Cities

High-Tech and Biotech Industry Specialization in Metropolitan Areas in the United States

 High-Tech and Biotech Industry Specialization in Metropolitan Areas in the United States
Timeline  2001-2002
 Funding  The Brookings Institution
 Description  We examined the growth and specialization dynamics of high-tech and biotech industries in metropolitan areas in the United States. The papers were published by the Brookings Institution`s Metropolitan Policy Program.
Involved researchers
  • Heike Mayer, University of Bern
  • Joseph Cortright, Impresa Inc.