Mapping the Evolution of Technological Entrepreneurship: Insights into Ecosystems, Behaviors, and Disruptive Technologies

Abstract

Technological entrepreneurship has emerged as a critical driver of economic development, innovation, and global competitiveness, serving as a catalyst for industrial transformation and new venture creation in both developed and emerging economies. Over the last decade, rapid advances in digital technologies—such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things—have fundamentally reshaped the landscape in which entrepreneurs operate. At the same time, the proliferation of incubation mechanisms, including university-based incubators, accelerators, innovation labs, and co-working spaces, has expanded the support infrastructure available to early-stage ventures. These developments have transformed how entrepreneurial opportunities are identified, evaluated, developed, and scaled, enabling start-ups to experiment, pivot, and commercialise innovations at an unprecedented pace.

This review synthesises the evolution of research and practice across four central thematic areas: (1) the structure and functioning of technological entrepreneurship ecosystems, (2) entrepreneurial behaviour and decision-making processes within technology-driven contexts, (3) the transformative role of disruptive technologies and innovation dynamics in shaping competitive environments, and (4) international and sustainability-related dimensions that influence the global diffusion and responsible development of technological ventures. By integrating findings from interdisciplinary scholarship—including management, economics, engineering, psychology, and policy studies—this article provides a holistic view of the multifaceted elements that shape entrepreneurial success in technology-intensive environments.