9th Paper Development Seminar: Entrepreneurship Insights

Jan de Vries · 2026-07-07

### The 9th Paper Development Seminar: A Hub for Entrepreneurship Research Back on May 28th and 29th, 2026, the University of Seville turned into a buzzing center for entrepreneurship scholarship. The Paper Development Seminar (PDS) on Entrepreneurship Process Research has become a big deal in the academic world. It’s co-organized by the University of Seville and the Observatorio del Ecosistema Emprendedor de Andalucia (OEEA)—the folks behind the GEM and GUESSS projects in the region. The 9th edition keeps pushing how we understand and study the entrepreneurial journey. ### What Makes This Seminar Special? The main goal of the 9PDS is simple: give early-career and experienced researchers a collaborative space to polish their work for top journals. To keep things intimate and productive, participation is capped at just 20 selected proposals and papers. That means deep dives and real connections. This year, people came from all over Europe and beyond. Over two days, presentations covered a wide range of topics using a process lens. Discussions touched on ADHD symptoms and entrepreneurial bricolage, how frontier-tech ecosystems work in Africa, AI’s impact on founder well-being, and failure paths in social ventures. ### A Focus on Gender and Entrepreneurship A big milestone this year was a dedicated focus on gender and entrepreneurship dynamics. Working with the CreaVES project—an initiative approved by the Spanish Research Agency (AEI) that looks at how social gender stereotypes and personal values shape business creation—the 9PDS had a special session on this important topic. ### Keynotes and Mentorship from Top Editors Beyond peer chats, the real gem of the 9PDS is the structured feedback and mentorship from a panel of world-renowned journal editors. Participants got written and oral feedback from at least two expert panelists, helping them make the structural changes needed for top-tier publication. ### Plenary Sessions You Can't Miss The plenary sessions were packed with insights from 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 framework during her session, "How to publish in top management and entrepreneurship journals." - Prof. Susana C. Santos (Florida State University) gave a powerful, urgent perspective with her plenary speech, "Entrepreneurship amid war." The academic program ended with an interactive Round Table on "Emerging topics and practices in entrepreneurship research." It brought together the collective wisdom of Profs. Hytti, Liguori, Santos, and Stephan to help participants navigate the future of scholarly publishing. ### Celebrating Academic Excellence The closing ceremony highlighted the exceptional quality of work presented this year. It was generously sponsored by the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB) through the ECSB Event Fund initiative. The Best Paper Award went to PhD student Robert Hoyer from Leuphana University. He got a free one-year membership to the ECSB. This recognition shows the high level of research and dedication in the field. ### Why This Matters for Entrepreneurs If you're an entrepreneur or researcher, events like the 9PDS are goldmines. They offer fresh insights into startup dynamics, gender roles in business, and how to navigate tough times. The focus on process research helps you understand the nitty-gritty of starting and growing a venture. It's not just theory—it's practical wisdom you can apply. ### Final Thoughts The 9th Paper Development Seminar was a success, blending rigorous research with real-world relevance. Whether you're a new researcher or a seasoned pro, there's something here for you. Keep an eye out for the next edition—it's worth your time.