We look forward to welcoming you to Cambridge in June 2026 for what promises to be an exceptional gathering of the global entrepreneurship and innovation research community.
2026 Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Conference (GEIRC)
15 Jun 2026
09:00 -17:00
16 Jun 2026
09:00 -17:00
Times are shown in local time
Cost: $200
Cambridge Judge Business School
Trumpington St
Cambridge
CB2 1AG
United Kingdom
Navigating uncertainty: building resilient ventures and innovation ecosystems in a fragmented world
Overview
We stand at a critical inflection point. Rising geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, technological decoupling and macroeconomic volatility are fundamentally reshaping the landscape for innovation and entrepreneurship. Tariff wars, supply chain disruptions and shifting alliances are fragmenting once-integrated global markets. Meanwhile, the race for technological advancement in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors and clean energy is intensifying national industrial policies and redefining competitive dynamics.
In this new reality, how do entrepreneurs navigate national controls and technology transfer restrictions?
What does resilience mean when markets fragment and geopolitical risks compound business uncertainties?
How can innovation ecosystems thrive when the rules of global engagement are being rewritten?
The 2026 GEIRC invites scholars to examine these timely questions and contribute to our understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation in an era defined by complexity, ambiguity and rapid transformation.
Conference themes
We welcome unpublished working papers from all research areas related to entrepreneurship and innovation. We particularly encourage submissions addressing the following themes:
Riding the waves
- How do ventures in quantum technologies, AI, biotechnology, semiconductors and clean energy scale amid technological races and geopolitical constraints?
- What entrepreneurial strategies enable resilience when global markets fragment?
- How do founders navigate dual-use technology considerations and national security concerns?
Tariff wars and domestic growth
- How are governments using industrial policy, strategic subsidies and procurement to shape innovation trajectories?
- How do innovation ecosystems respond to protectionism and economic nationalism?
- What roles do state-backed venture funds and patient capital play in the new landscape?
The role of clusters in a fragmented economy
- How do regional innovation clusters adapt when global networks fragment?
- What new models of university-industry partnership emerge in an era of knowledge security concerns?
- How do academic institutions balance open science ideals with intellectual property protection and national interests?
- What is the future of international research collaboration?
Deglobalisation and geopolitical conflicts
- How are multinational innovation networks rewiring in response to geopolitical tensions?
- What strategies enable firms to maintain efficiency while building resilience?
- How do cross-border venture capital flows adapt to regulatory restrictions?
- What new forms of international cooperation emerge in critical technology sectors?
Managing risk and currency wars in the geoeconomic era
- How do investors assess and price geopolitical risk in venture portfolios?
- What alternative funding models emerge when traditional capital flows face restrictions?
- How do currency volatility and monetary policy divergence impact innovation investment?
- What is the future of patient capital in uncertain times?
- How should universities, governments and policy makers respond to the challenges of deglobalisation, technological nationalism and geopolitical fragmentation?
- As nations redesign their science, technology and innovation policies, how can universities maintain their core values of openness, academic freedom and global collaboration while adapting to new national priorities?
- What models of governance, funding and public–private partnership can sustain innovation amid political uncertainty?
- How might higher education institutions steer themselves responsibly through these turbulent times to continue nurturing talent, discovery and societal impact?
In addition to the thematic tracks above, we welcome submissions on all aspects of entrepreneurship and innovation research, including:
- new venture formation processes, financing and strategies
- R&D and project management, performance metrics and portfolio evaluation
- institutions and policies to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation
- markets for ideas, innovation and other intangibles
- regional and global dynamics of entrepreneurship and innovation
- university and science-based innovation and technology transfer
- continuous improvement and new process development
- patents, licensing and intellectual property
- business model innovation (such as operations, marketing or network innovation)
- open innovation and distributed innovation
- market and financial impacts of innovation
- entrepreneurial leadership and organisational resilience
- innovation metrics and evaluation frameworks
- digital platforms and innovation ecosystems
- social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation
- climate technology and sustainable innovation
How should universities, governments and policy makers respond to the challenges of deglobalisation, technological nationalism and geopolitical fragmentation? As nations redesign their science, technology and innovation policies, how can universities maintain their core values of openness, academic freedom and global collaboration while adapting to new national priorities? What models of governance, funding and public–private partnership can sustain innovation amid political uncertainty? How might higher education institutions steer themselves responsibly through these turbulent times to continue nurturing talent, discovery and societal impact?
Important dates
| 31 Jan 2026 | 28 Feb 2026 | 1 Mar 2026 | 15 Apr 2026 | 15-16 Jun 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper submission deadline | Review notification | Registration opens | Registration deadline | Conference |
Registration and fees
$200 USD (£150) per participant and the fee includes:
- access to all conference sessions and presentations
- lunch and refreshments on both days (15-16 June)
- welcome reception and College dinner on the evening of 15 June
- networking opportunities with leading scholars and practitioners
Note: The conference fee does not include accommodation or travel expenses. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and lodging.
Registration details and payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance notification. All presenting authors must register by the registration deadline to be included in the final programme.
Submission details
The conference promises to provide vigorous and lively discussion about current research in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation from a global perspective. Please submit an electronic version of your full paper no later than 31 January, using the following submission form:
The papers will be reviewed by the conference committee and authors will receive notification by 28 February 2026. The conference committee extends an invitation to interested scholars to attend the conference regardless of whether a paper is submitted. Due to space limitations, participation at the conference requires pre-registration and is subject to confirmation from the conference organisers based on availability.
About this conference
The Batten Institute at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business hosted the inaugural annual conference in 2010. As the conference grew in popularity, Darden partnered with the Academy of Management in hosting the 2012 event. Cambridge Judge Business School joined in 2013 as a co-sponsor alongside Darden and since then, the event has rotated between the United Kingdom, the United States and Asia. Previous hosts include the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Business and Economics (2017), National Taiwan University (2025) and the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business (2024).
Over its history, GEIRC has generated more than 35 published papers in leading journals including:
- Strategic Management Journal
- Management Science
- Organization Science
- Journal of Business Venturing
- Academy of Management Journal
- Research Policy
- Administrative Science Quarterly
- Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal
Learn more about the conference history and programmes
About the University of Cambridge Judge Business School
Cambridge Judge Business School has forged a reputation as a center of rigorous thinking and high-impact transformative education, situated within one of the world’s most prestigious research universities and at the heart of the Cambridge Cluster – the most successful technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Europe. Cambridge Judge pursues innovation through interdisciplinary insight, entrepreneurial spirit and collaboration.
Cutting-edge research is rooted in real-world challenges. Research underpins all that we do at Cambridge Judge Business School and our research programme combines the highest international academic standards with the practical needs of business and society. The School has world-class faculty representing all continents, whose research interests span the globe and the full spectrum of business issues.
Learn more about the University of Cambridge Judge School of Business
About the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business
Located in Boulder, Colorado, one of the most innovative tech and startup hubs in the nation, the Leeds School of Business is surrounded by and connected to an enterprising, collaborative and dynamic business community. Our faculty of top international academic leaders provide students with educational expertise in areas including accounting, finance, marketing, management and entrepreneurship and real estate.
At Leeds School of Business, we believe in making positive impacts. By redefining business education, driving innovation and advancing entrepreneurial mindsets, we are working every day to positively transform the future of global business. The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship provides a focus at Leeds to empower entrepreneurial solutions that drive economic and social value through experiential learning, research and community engagement across Colorado and the world.
Learn more about the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business
About the University of Virginia Darden School of Business
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business delivers the world’s best business education experience to prepare entrepreneurial, global and responsible leaders through its MBA, PhD and Executive Education programmes. Darden’s top-ranked faculty is renowned for teaching excellence and advances practical business knowledge through research.
The Batten Institute at the Darden School of Business serves as a catalyst for developing innovation-driven, entrepreneurial leaders and for advancing knowledge about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation. The Batten Institute was established with gifts from UVA alumnus Frank Batten Sr, a media pioneer, visionary and founder of The Weather Channel.
Learn more about the University of Virginia Darden School of Business
About National Taiwan University College of Management
National Taiwan University College of Management is one of the most prestigious business schools in Asia, situated within Taiwan’s leading research university. The College has partnered with 96 business schools from 23 countries and offers up to 200 exchange slots for students, demonstrating its commitment to global collaboration and international excellence.
Since establishing Taiwan’s first EMBA program in 1997, the College has pioneered management education for corporate executives and elites. The College is dedicated to cultivating innovative managers and leaders with global vision and cross-disciplinary expertise. The College’s research excellence and commitment to practical business education make it an ideal partner in advancing global entrepreneurship and innovation research.
Learn more about National Taiwan University College of Management