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

Abstract

Technology entrepreneurs are launching and growing new businesses within business ecosystems, but little is known about how ecosystem participation impacts new venture business models. This research is an exploratory study of new venture business models within Lead To Win -a business ecosystem developed as a 'job-creation engine' for Canada's capital region. The three-phase research design is comprised of: 1) a field study of the Lead To Win field setting; 2) a multiple case-study of participating new ventures launched by six founders; 3) development of evidence-based propositions relating ecosystem participation and new venture business models. There are two key findings. First, more intense participation in the ecosystem is associated with higher business model differentiation, sophistication, and extent of change. Second, entrepreneurs participating more intensely in the ecosystem report a greater breadth of benefits.