An exploratory comparison of US and international academically based entrepreneurship centres

Little research is available about the operations and management of academically based entrepreneurship centres, and even less is available on non- US-based centres. This paper fills the gap in the literature by examining the similarities and differences between US and non-US academically based entrepreneurship centres. More specifically, we examine the centres’ structures, activities, success measures, directors’ roles and resources. Global similarities were found in drivers of excellence and challenges facing centre directors. However, centres located outside the US tend to have different organisational structures, funding sources and missions. Our analysis forms the basis for benchmarking entrepreneurship centres and can help those interested in establishing such centres understand the different facets of their centres’ management.