Effectuation 2024 - A Reflection

At the #effectuation conference in #Nantes, France on Nov 12^th and 13^th, I had the opportunity to review some really cool and thought provoking entrepreneurship research ! 

In our specific ‘pod’, we explored radically different research contexts, applied varying methodologies and sought to tackle a range of RQs – diversity was alive and well ! From Chinese immigrant entrepreneurs in Paris to Zebra (not unicorn!) entrepreneurs in West Bengal, India. From venture creation and development in the aftermath of the Egyptian revolution to musicians forming partnerships and engaging new collaborators on TikTok. We discussed the impact of incubator support on entrepreneur’s decision making (in the Netherlands) and talked a lot about the importance of feedback, and stakeholder engagement in effectuation! Ours was an eclectic and melting pot research pod! 

We were also lucky to learn from Slavica Singer in her keynote speech, and hear of her experience of helping entrepreneurs build something from nothing (literally!) in the post-war reconstruction of her home town.  Saras Sarasvathy was deeply admirative of Slavica’s brave and entrepreneurial endeavors, and rightly so.  I too was greatly humbled and inspired to hear of Slavica’s discrete bravery and vibrant intellectual spirit. She is a lesson to us all -  even in times of extreme turmoil and diminished hope, there is resourcefulness and community - a spark to be found and mutually fostered! 

Thank you to the organizing committee and all involved – it was such a pleasure to meet some old friends again as well as make many new ones!