New Enlightenment Innovation Wars: The Global Race for Startup Supremacy
Mar 31, 2025
Robyn Klingler-Vidra, a Reader in Entrepreneurship and Sustainability at King's Business School, joins Adam Dixon to dissect the global competition for startup supremacy. They discuss how government policies shape innovation, with nations like China outpacing Europe through urgency and structure. The duo explores Europe's 'scale-up problem' and the ramifications of bureaucratic hurdles. They also delve into the unique dynamics within startup ecosystems, emphasizing the need for collaboration rather than mere replication. Cultural and geopolitical factors are examined as key elements influencing entrepreneurial landscapes.
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Governments Expand Startup Support
- Governments have shifted from basic venture capital support to broader startup promotion like accelerators and procurement mechanisms.
- This reflects a global trend where states act as both investors and cultural promoters of entrepreneurship.
Venture Capital Boosts Growth and Failures
- Venture capital involvement increases startup growth and fundraising but also leads to more business closures.
- More startup activity does not necessarily mean increased economic dynamism or innovation.
The Rise and Challenges of Venture Capital
- Venture capital's central role in innovation is a recent, 21st-century phenomenon tied to open innovation.
- Big VC funds have grown huge, but increased competition dilutes the quality of venture investing.
