Cooperation in regional new venture support networks: experiences from Germany

To introduce new venture support networks (NVSN) as a topical instrument in German entrepreneurship policy, and to discuss critically the problems in achieving cooperation between the member organizations in these networks.

Conceptual analysis with illustrative empirical examples derived from 17 semi‐structured interviews with actors involved in the German federal NVSN initiative “EXIST – Entrepreneurs from Universities”.

Identifies two major sources of obstacles to achieving cooperation in politically initiated NVSN: heterogeneous actor structure; and lack of culture as a network due to the “artificial” political origin of the network.

The paper only identifies problem areas and illustrates these with empirical examples. Further research is required so as to analyse how the problem areas could be improved.

Identified problem areas should be considered when planning (entrepreneurship) policy initiatives that include inter‐organizational cooperation.

Introduces and critically analyses a topical and so far little studied phenomenon of entrepreneurship policy.