Successful Dissertation Defense of Sophia Hess at the University of Stuttgart

The dissertation comprises four articles: First, it introduces a guideline for building and managing multilevel, longitudinal datasets that integrate data on founders, their ventures, and the ecosystem. Second, it develops a refined measurement model for entrepreneurial ecosystems at the city and district levels. Third, it proposes a typology of ecosystems that accounts for structural heterogeneity and non-linear development paths. Fourth, it outlines a research agenda aimed at bridging the gap between academic research and policy practice. Together, these four contributions provide a nuanced understanding of local entrepreneurial ecosystems.

With her research, Sophia Hess makes a significant contribution to understanding regionally differentiated entrepreneurial dynamics and offers a solid foundation for evidence-based entrepreneurship policy.

We thank the reviewers of the dissertation, Prof. Dr. Alexander Brem (University of Stuttgart) and Prof. Dr. Katharina Hölzle (University of Stuttgart), as well as Prof. Dr. Birgit Renzl, who chaired the dissertation committee.