An Ecosystem-Based Job-Creation Engine Fuelled by Technology Entrepreneurs

Business ecosystems and new venture business models: an exploratory study of participation in the Lead To Win job-creation engine

“…First, Lead To Win was deliberately structured as a business ecosystem by its founders (Bailetti and Hudson, 2009) and participants self-identify as belonging to a business ecosystem. Second, as a business ecosystem "fueled by technology entrepreneurs" [Bailetti and Bot, (2013), p.31], we expected an abundance potential case studies. Third, it is accessible; we expected participants would share their stories with us.…”

“…Second, extant research has emphasised business ecosystems anchored around product platforms implemented using information technology (IT) hardware and software, and orchestrated by profit-motivated keystone organisations; this study examines a venture-creation ecosystem anchored around a process platform and a non-traditional keystone organisation. Process here refers not to an algorithm in an IT system, but rather a venture creation process (Bailetti and Bot, 2013) comprised of a venture lifecycle with engagement points where ecosystem participants -including investors, early users and buyers, economic development organisations, service providers, and other entrepreneurs pursuing complementary opportunities -get involved in particular ways. Third, consistent with the theme of this special issue of the International Journal of Technology Management, this research brings together the notions of business models and business ecosystems, which have typically been examined separately in prior work.…”

“…The platform in this view is comprised of technological building blocks and complementary assets that can be used and consumed to develop products, technologies, and services (Gawer, 2009;Muegge, 2013): "technology entrepreneurs whose opportunities have been rated 'green' by the Lead To Win Opportunity review board receive benefits (e.g., services) from program elements that are organized into five components. These components differ in terms of the value they add to creating jobs and the specialized knowledge required for delivering these services" [Bailetti and Bot, (2013), pp.33]. Table 9 organises the knowledge assets, resources, and services identified in our interviews into these five components.…”

“…The Lead To Win community is the "voluntary group of people with common interests and a shared sense of identity" (Muegge, 2013) that maintains and extends the platform through contributions of time, expertise, funds, and resources. Decisions are made by the organisers, especially the Lead To Win Council (Bailetti and Bot, 2013), which plans events and invites members of the community to participate. Much community output is open access (Willinsky, 2009) including training material distributed under Creative Commons licenses (http://creativecommons.org).…”

Business ecosystems and new venture business models: an exploratory study of participation in the Lead To Win job-creation engine

“…In this view, the platform is foremost a process "that guides the engagement among ecosystem members throughout the venture-creation lifecycle" [Bailetti and Bot, (2013), p.34].…”