Entrepreneurial Discovery Process (EDP)

The Entrepreneurial Discovery Process is about prioritising investments based on an inclusive and evidence-based process driven by stakeholders' engagement and attention to market dynamics.

This entrepreneurial discovery is an interactive and inclusive process in which the relevant actors identify new and potential activities and inform the government. The government assess this information and empowers those actors most capable of realising the potential. This process is what mainly distinguishes Smart Specialisation from traditional industrial and innovation policies.

Stakeholder collaboration (entrepreneurial discovery process) is one of the key elements for smart specialisation strategies and a core element of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Enabling Condition "Good governance of national or regional smart specialisation strategy" for the period 2021-2027. However still, after years of implementation is a challenging concept for most European regions and countries. The COVID-19 crisis is also requiring countries and regions to adapt the entrepreneurial discovery process to the new conditions where it is more difficult to have in-person gatherings.
 
Evidence collected shows that the entrepreneurial discovery process's efficient functioning requires governments to act as platforms to enable, sustain, and guide stakeholders' participation across the policy-making process. The entrepreneurial discovery process has evolved into a continuous activity, starting with identifying broad priorities during the definition of the Smart Specialisation strategies and keeping stakeholders' participation going throughout the strategy's implementation. As a continuous activity, it imposes substantial requirements on public authorities regarding governance and institutional arrangements (e.g. creating new structures or adapting previous ones). Capacity building is central for promoting greater stakeholder engagement and effective coordination of this process. For instance, there is a need for capacity building related to 'collaborative decision-making', 'shared leadership', 'communications skills', communicating ideas, and generating common understanding across different disciplines, technological paradigms, ways of thinking/doing. Keeping stakeholders informed about how their feedback contributes to policymaking processes help maintain stakeholders' interest and involvement. Effective communication can also help to get the right partners and reach those actors whose participation in the entrepreneurial discovery process is low.
 
Altogether, the next generation of smart specialisation strategies offers the opportunity to enhance the entrepreneurial discovery process's effective functioning by taking stock of the lessons learned over the past few years and the current crisis.

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PUBLICATION |
Discovery processes for transformative innovation policy, Lessons learned from the entrepreneurial discovery process (EDP) practice

The purpose of this paper is to review available studies on how “Entrepreneurial Discovery Processes” were practiced and identify which lessons learned are relevant to the new context of transformative innovation policies, where “discovery and experimentation” processes will continue to be a key...

Laranja Manuel, Perianez-Forte Inmaculada, Reimeris Ramojus
PUBLICATION |
Entrepreneurial discovery process Europe: Tools and mechanisms

This policy insight focuses on the tools and mechanisms used by countries and regions to foster efficient entrepreneurial discovery processes (EDP), within their smart specialisation strategies.

Inmaculada Perianez-Forte; James Wilson
PUBLICATION |
Assessing Smart Specialisation: The entrepreneurial discovery process

This report presents some insights based on new evidence collected on the smart specialisation policy experience across EU regions and countries. Evidence collected suggest that the way in which the entrepreneurial discovery process should be stimulated and organised remains highly...

Inmaculada Perianez-Forte; James Wilson
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