MAPPING BUSINESS START-UP ECOSYSTEM IN KOSOVO

Abstract

The aim of this study is to critically review the existing initiatives of start-up support services for entrepreneurship growth in Kosovo. In the light of an increasing government and donor activities to support start-ups in Kosovo, there is a need for evaluation of these policy interventions to guide future entrepreneurship policy. Building on the political economy of small firm intervention literature and using mapping method the study identifies and critically evaluates the technical, financial and other support services to start-ups.  The study uses secondary resources to explore the initiatives and understand the entrepreneurship growth ecosystem. The findings suggest that although there is an increased trend of business support services the entrepreneurship ecosystem has not gone beyond the traditional policy measures and in many areas remains in its infancy phase of development. Challenges remain in the area of provision of alternative forms of financing, incubation space and services and moreover, in the area of support for growth-oriented startups. The study concludes by providing alternative and additional policy intervention tools.