Requirements and Interactions of the Sports Startup Ecosystem in Iran

Purpose: This research analyzes the requirements and interactions within the sports start-up ecosystem in Iran.Methodology: The research is exploratory and qualitative in nature. In this regard, using purposive and snowball sampling methods, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with ۱۶ experts in the field of entrepreneurship and sports startups, including founders of sports startups, heads of science and technology parks and growth centers, university professors, and elites in the field of sports entrepreneurship. Then, the resulting data were analyzed using the grounded theory method and the Glaser approach.Findings: By analyzing the research findings and identifying cultural values as the central category, the ecosystem requirements were categorized and presented around this central category in three categories: infrastructure, prerequisites, and the formation of types of capital (human, political, and social capital). Then, we determined the relationships between the components based on the presented requirements.Originality: The research highlights the significance of understanding the roles and interactions of ecosystem components in start-up ecosystems, as it enables decision-makers to make informed choices and identify weak or missing components for ecosystem improvement.

کلیدواژه ها:

Capital ، entrepreneurship ، Networking ، Sports Start-up Ecosystem