International Entrepreneurship Research at Lüneburg

From September 7 to 11, 2026, Leuphana University of Lüneburg welcomed around 50 researchers from across Europe for the ESU Conference & Doctoral Program. Hosted by the European University Network on Entrepreneurship (ESU), the five-day event provided a platform for academic exchange, supported the next generation of entrepreneurship scholars, and explored emerging developments in the field.

“A successful academic conference thrives on bringing together different perspectives and creating space for new ideas”, says Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen, Vice President for Entrepreneurship and other areas, and Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship at Leuphana University Lüneburg. “That is exactly what we experienced in Lüneburg. I was particularly pleased to see established scholars and early-career researchers engaging in dialogue and exchanging ideas. For many doctoral candidates, the conference offered an important opportunity to present their work in an international setting and receive valuable feedback on their research.”

A central element of this year’s conference was the ESU Doctoral Program. In parallel sessions, doctoral candidates at different stages of their research presented their projects and received feedback from experienced scholars. The research presented covered a broad range of topics, including entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation, entrepreneurial identity, gender and inclusion, and regenerative and sustainable entrepreneurship. Together, these themes reflect the growing role of entrepreneurship research in understanding societal transformation and new approaches to entrepreneurial activity.

The program also featured keynote presentations and workshops exploring different research perspectives, approaches, and methodologies. Invited speakers included Sarah Jack (Lancaster University) and Georges Romme (Eindhoven University of Technology), alongside other leading scholars from the European entrepreneurship research community. Emerging topics, including the role and implications of artificial intelligence for entrepreneurship, were also discussed.

“For participants, the ESU Conference was about much more than a series of academic presentations”, says Robert Hoyer, ESU conference coordinator. “It created opportunities for in-depth discussions, new connections, and collaborative thinking around research projects. This combination of academic exchange, support for early-career researchers, and personal networking is at the heart of what makes the ESU community special.”

The conference program also gave international participants an opportunity to experience Lüneburg and learn more about its history and culture. A guided city tour and evening events introduced guests to the historic Hanseatic city and its surroundings. This reflects a long-standing ESU tradition of combining academic exchange with opportunities to engage with the culture and economic development of the host region.

For Leuphana, hosting the conference builds on the university’s longstanding commitment to entrepreneurship research and education. Leuphana brings together research and teaching with entrepreneurial thinking and action, start-up support, and research into social, sustainable, and digital entrepreneurship. The conference also provided an opportunity to showcase Leuphana as an international center for entrepreneurship research and education.

Following five days of intensive academic exchange, ESU Conference 2026 concluded with a look ahead to the next edition, which will take place in Lyon from August 23 to 27, 2027.

“We are leaving Lüneburg with many new ideas and connections”, says Prof. Dr. Markus Reihlen. “I hope that the conversations and collaborations that started this week will continue well beyond the conference and lead to long-term partnerships, joint research projects, and new ideas.”