BOOST 2: Building Opportunities and Outcomes through Scholarly Teamwork

Jan de Vries · 2026-06-30

On April 13-14, 2026, we hosted the second edition of BOOST (Building Opportunities for Sustained Growth and Transformation) at the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland. The event was backed by the European Council for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ECSB) and organized by Dr. Daria Hakola and Dr. Mari Suoranta. It brought together nearly 30 participants from doctoral students to senior scholars and journal editors, plus two entrepreneur-executives with PhDs. Our goal was simple: bridge the gap between academic research and real-world business. ### What Made BOOST 2 Special This was more than a conference. It was a development-focused gathering where people didn't just listen but actually built something together. We wanted to create a space where ideas could collide and grow. And honestly, it worked better than we expected. The program was packed with value. Here's a quick look at what we covered: - **Opening and Keynote Sessions**: University leaders kicked things off, then we dove into thought-provoking talks on entrepreneurial ecosystems and the shifting global context for entrepreneurship research. - **Meet the Editors Sessions**: Across both days, editors from six top journals shared direct insights on manuscript development. For early-career researchers, this was gold. - **GEM Global Entrepreneurship Insights**: We explored the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and what they mean for future research agendas. - **Industry Keynotes**: Business practitioners shared honest stories about growth, strategy, and turning research into high-growth ventures. - **Paper Development Roundtables**: Senior scholars gave structured, constructive feedback on ongoing research. Many attendees said this was the highlight. - **Industry-University Collaborative Workshop**: The second afternoon brought academics and business guests together to talk research-practice collaboration. It was messy, but in a good way. - **Networking and Community Building**: From the opening lunch to the conference dinner, we created space for real connections. ### Key Takeaways You Can Use We walked away with five big lessons that might help you too: 1. **Entrepreneurial ecosystems are complex**: You can't study them in isolation. They need a holistic, interdisciplinary approach that spans multiple levels. 2. **Context matters more than ever**: Professor Kim Klyver made a compelling case for why the messy realities entrepreneurs face every day should shape our research assumptions. 3. **Adaptation is key**: Professor Christina Theodoraki showed how coordination and growth dynamics are being reshaped in an uncertain world. Her talk had both theoretical depth and practical relevance. 4. **Bridging academia and industry pays off**: The entrepreneur-executives with PhDs proved that combining research rigor with business instinct creates unique value. 5. **Community builds momentum**: The connections formed across career stages and institutions are what make events like this stick. ### A Quote to Remember > "Entrepreneurial ecosystems cannot be studied in isolation — they require a holistic, interdisciplinary and multi-level approach that captures the full picture." — Professor Christina Theodoraki ### Why This Matters for Your Work If you're a researcher, practitioner, or someone trying to make sense of how startups and growth work, events like BOOST 2 are worth paying attention to. They remind us that the best ideas come from mixing perspectives. The months of planning paid off in vibrant discussions and genuine connections. We're already thinking about BOOST 3. For more on how these insights apply to your own work, check out resources from the ECSB or reach out to the organizers. Just don't expect us to have all the answers — we're still learning too.