The historical roots of entrepreneurial ecosystems

This chapter contributes to an evolutionary perspective on entrepreneurial ecosystems by reviewing the research on the development of regional entrepreneurship over time. A particular focus is the long-term persistence of regional levels of entrepreneurship, the explanations for this and the implications for economic development. What is the state of empirical research in this field and what can explain this empirical picture? How are long-term trends of entrepreneurial activity linked to regional performance? Based on our assessments, we derive policy implications and avenues for further research.