9PDS 2026: Inside Entrepreneurship Process Research

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-07

This past May 28th and 29th, 2026, the University of Seville once again transformed into a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship scholarship. The Paper Development Seminar (PDS) on Entrepreneurship Process Research has solidified itself as a major event in the global academic calendar. Co-organized by the University of Seville and the Observatorio del Ecosistema Emprendedor de Andalucia (OEEA)--the institution behind the GEM and GUESSS projects in the region--the 9PDS continues to push the boundaries of how we understand and study the entrepreneurial journey. ### A Focused Space for Real Progress The core mission of the 9PDS is refreshingly simple: give early-career and established researchers a highly collaborative environment to polish their work for top-tier journals. To keep things intimate and productive, participation is strictly limited to a maximum of 20 selected proposals and papers. That's it. No massive crowds, no distractions. Just focused, hands-on feedback. This year's participants traveled to Seville from across Europe and beyond. Over two days, presentations covered a wide range of topics through a process lens. Research discussions touched on everything from the link between ADHD symptoms and entrepreneurial bricolage to how frontier-tech ecosystems operate in Africa. We also explored how AI impacts founder well-being and what failure pathways look like in social ventures. ### Gender Dynamics Take Center Stage A major highlight this year was a dedicated emphasis on gender and entrepreneurship dynamics. Working with the CreaVES project--a Spanish Research Agency (AEI) initiative that analyzes how social gender stereotypes and personal values shape firm creation--the 9PDS featured a special session on this relevant topic. It was a powerful reminder that entrepreneurship isn't just about ideas and funding; it's deeply tied to identity and societal norms. ### Keynotes and Mentorship from World-Class Editors Beyond peer discussions, the defining feature of the 9PDS is the structured feedback and mentorship from its panel of globally respected journal editors. Participants got both written and oral feedback from at least two expert panelists, guiding them on structural improvements needed for top-tier publication. This isn't just advice--it's a roadmap. The plenary sessions delivered invaluable masterclasses from some of the field's leading scholars: - Profs. Ulla Hytti (University of Turku) and Miruna Radu-Lefebvre (Audencia Business School) kicked things off with a thought-provoking talk: "How about men entrepreneurs? Gender, masculinities and entrepreneurship." - Prof. Ute Stephan (King's College London) shared an insider's framework during her session, "How to publish in top management and entrepreneurship journals." - Prof. Susana C. Santos (Florida State University) delivered a powerful, urgent perspective with her plenary speech, "Entrepreneurship amid war." The academic programming wrapped up with an interactive Round Table on "Emerging topics and practices in entrepreneurship research." Profs. Hytti, Liguori, Santos, and Stephan came together to help participants navigate the future of scholarly publishing. ### Celebrating Academic Excellence The closing ceremony celebrated the exceptional quality of work presented this year. Sponsored by the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB) through their Event Fund initiative, the event recognized standout contributions. The Best Paper Award went to PhD student Robert Hoyer from Leuphana University, who received a free one-year membership to the ECSB. It's a well-deserved honor for research that truly stood out. ### What This Means for You If you're a researcher or entrepreneur interested in the cutting edge of startup studies, events like the 9PDS are where real connections happen. The insights shared here don't just stay in academic journals--they shape how we think about building businesses, supporting founders, and fostering innovation. Whether you're diving into gender dynamics, AI's role in entrepreneurship, or the mechanics of failure, the lessons from Seville are worth paying attention to.