The formation of a startup ecosystem as a basis for increasing entrepreneurial activity: the experience of Ukraine

Abstract

The development of entrepreneurship is the key to the economic growth of a democratic country with a market economy. The role of state and local authorities is to promote and increase entrepreneurial activity. An essential role in the development of entrepreneurship is played by startups as a special form of management, which is mainly aimed at innovative solutions to problems and satisfaction of needs. That is why the question arises in forming a complete and complex ecosystem for the development of entrepreneurship, where a startup ecosystem can be singled out separately. The purpose of this study is to develop a structural and logical model of a startup ecosystem based on the example of Ukraine. As a result of using a set of scientific research methods, a number of results were obtained. Based on the methods of structural and logical generalization, analysis, and synthesis, a theoretical interpretation of the basic categories of startup and startup ecosystem was provided. The study of literary sources on the essence of the startup ecosystem made it possible to establish its hierarchy and equality, which affects its content. Hierarchical demarcation (structuring) of the startup ecosystem of Ukraine was carried out, where 4 levels were distinguished: international (global), national, regional, and local. Features of each level are described. Based on the analysis of the constituent ecosystems, a structural and logical model of the startup ecosystem of Ukraine was developed and a description of its structural elements was carried out. Based on the structuring and comparative analysis of the components of the national startup ecosystem and foreign ones, directions for the further development of the startup ecosystem of Ukraine have been determined. Special attention is paid to the analysis and features of the formation of startup ecosystems at the local level, which includes the university level. The Ukrainian university start-up ecosystem and the stages of its implementation are presented in the example of the start-up ecosystem of the O.M. Beketov Kharkiv National University of Urban Economy, which is based on the theory of SMART specializations. The peculiarities of the activity and development of the start-up ecosystem of Ukraine in the conditions of the war with Russia have been determined.