International Workshop on Start-up Ecosystems

  • 03.07.2026
  • Bez kategorii
  • News

What determines whether a start-up survives and grows? How does Kraków compare with Valencia—one of the most dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems in Spain? These were the key questions explored during the international workshop “Trajectories of Start-ups in Intermediate Development Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Valencia versus Krakow”, held on 30 June 2026 at the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the Cracow University of Economics. The workshop was led by Prof. Isidre March Chordà from the University of Valencia (Spain).

The event, conducted in English, was attended by members of the Department, doctoral students, and representatives of Kraków’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Profesor pokazuje na tablicy wykres, obok lewej na ekranie wyświetlona prezentacjaThe discussion was initiated by the presentation of the results of a unique longitudinal study in which Prof. March Chordà monitored the development and trajectories of start-ups operating in Valencia between 2020 and 2025. Participants gained insight into the characteristics of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, the profiles of start-ups operating within it, their survival rates, investment activity, and growth trajectories. The workshop also addressed the role of key ecosystem actors—including investors, accelerators, incubators, and support institutions—in creating conditions conducive to the development of innovative ventures. Particular interest was generated by the analysis of factors determining the success and sustainability of start-ups in entrepreneurial ecosystems with an intermediate level of development, such as Valencia and Kraków.

The research findings served as the basis for an interactive comparative session entitled “Valencia versus Kraków”, which formed the central component of the workshop. During a lively discussion, participants analyzed the strengths and challenges of both entrepreneurial ecosystems, shared experiences, and jointly identified factors supporting the development of start-up environments. The session demonstrated that, despite the geographical distance between the two cities, they face many similar challenges. At the same time, numerous opportunities for mutual learning and the exchange of best practices were identified, offering valuable insights into strengthening entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems.

An additional highlight of the workshop was the presentation of Etelvia, an innovative strategic consulting and business intelligence platform developed by Prof. March Chordà primarily for small and medium-sized enterprises. Participants had the opportunity to see how advanced analytical tools can support strategic decision-making, entrepreneurship development, and ecosystem analysis in practice.

The workshop concluded with a discussion of future opportunities for scientific collaboration between researchers and institutions from Spain and Poland, including joint research projects focused on start-ups, accelerators, innovation support organizations, and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

The meeting will certainly not be the last—it marks the beginning of a promising collaboration between Kraków and Valencia.

About the Speaker

Prof. Isidre March Chordà is a Full Professor of Organization and Management in the Department of Business Management at the Faculty of Economics of the University of Valencia, where he has been affiliated since 1993. His research interests include entrepreneurship, innovation management, venture capital, and start-ups. He is the author of numerous publications in leading international journals, including Journal of Business Research, Business Strategy and the Environment, and Entrepreneurship & Regional Development.

From 2008 to 2025, he directed the Master’s Programme in the Creation and Management of Innovative Companies, regarded as one of the highest-rated programmes of its kind in Spain. Since 2022, he has also served on the management team of AgrotecUV, the University of Valencia’s accelerator supporting deep-tech start-ups in the agri-food sector.

In addition to his academic work, Prof. March Chordà is actively involved in regional innovation policy, serving as a member of the Valencian Innovation Agency and the steering committee responsible for the RIS3-CV Smart Specialisation Strategy for the Valencia region.