Disadvantaged Entrepreneurship: Immigrant and Women Entrepreneurs in Entrepreneurial Ecosystems

About the Project

In recent decades, entrepreneurial ecosystems have increasingly been recognized as a key driver of regional economic growth and innovation (Felin and Foss, 2023). However, existing studies on entrepreneurial ecosystems have largely centred on growth-oriented and innovation-led ventures (Wurth et al., 2022). An emerging stream of research explores the systemic barriers and inequalities faced by disadvantaged entrepreneurs, such as ethnic minority, immigrant, and women entrepreneurs. As marginalized groups, they often encounter structural constraints, including limited access to finance, networks, institutional support, and entrepreneurial support systems. This restricts their ability to survive and thrive within entrepreneurial ecosystems (Brush et al., 2019; Murzacheva et al., 2020).

Although the concept of inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems is gaining traction, studies tend to examine ethnic minority, immigrant and women entrepreneurship in isolation (cite). In response, scholars increasingly call for research that integrates multiple identity dimensions, such as gender, ethnicity and migration status, to more fully understand how structural inequalities shape entrepreneurial opportunities and outcomes (Vorobeva, 2022; Yamanura et al., 2022; Richard, 2025; Henry et al., 2024).

Aim of the project

This PhD project is targeted at candidates who are interested in research that focuses on how entrepreneurial ecosystems shape the opportunities, constraints, and lived experiences of disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Such a research focus must consider ethnic minority, immigrant and women entrepreneurs and their overlapping experiences of structural disadvantage (e.g. access to resources, opportunities and available support), intersectional identities and experiences within entrepreneurial ecosystems. By adopting an intersectional perspective, the research will explore how gender, ethnicity and migration status interact with ecosystem structures (e.g. institutions, networks, support systems and policy frameworks) to influence entrepreneurial processes and outcomes.

Indicative research questions include:

1. How do entrepreneurial ecosystems enable or constrain ethnic minority, immigrant and/or women entrepreneurs?
2. How do intersectional identities affect the access to ecosystem resources, networks, and opportunities?
3. What role do ecosystem intermediaries (e.g. incubators, supportive institutions, universities and communities) play in fostering more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems?

Methodologically, this PhD research project is expected to employ a qualitative or quantitative approach to both capture the complicated interactions between entrepreneurs and ecosystem actors and extent of the spread of these complexities.

Supervisors

Yuxi Zhao

Amon Simba