Internationalization strategy formation in student-run born global companies: The case of Aalto University student-run entrepreneurship ecosystem

Abstract

Aalto University’s entrepreneurship ecosystem is a unique setting for student-run initiatives to succeed. The student run initiatives have become born global, student-run and volunteer-based organizations with the entrepreneurial mindset of the students and the support of the ecosystem.

This thesis examines descriptively the internationalization strategy formation within the Aalto University entrepreneurship ecosystem. Specifically, within the companies that have spun off from Aaltoes; Slush, Junction and Kiuas. The literature review goes through theoretical concepts required to understand the results of study.

The results of this qualitative research provide insight to the influence of a well-functioning ecosystem to the successful and unsuccessful internationalization efforts of organizations bred from student entrepreneurship. The study acts as a discussion opener to the research of emerging ecosystems that are especially based on student volunteerism, and how student-lead initiatives can become internationally recognized with the support of such ecosystem. Additionally, the research continues the work of forming internationalization theory that is applicable also to SMEs and startups.

The primary finding is that Uppsala model of internationalization shows most explanatory promise for SME and startup internationalization, but it also has its further improvement needs. Secondarily, case companies are found to have similar internationalization motives and tended to utilize similar methods of internationalization that could be driven by ecosystem advantages.

Due to the research construction relying heavily on the uniqueness of the context, the generalizability of the results may be subpar. Many of the aspects found in the thesis should be further researched as suggested in conclusions. Managers can still take note of potential advantages of belonging to an ecosystem as part of internationalization for their companies.