Paris/Jakarta, 7 November 2023: ERIA, in partnership with the OECD Platform for the Entrepreneurship Education Collaboration and Engagement Network (EECOLE), recently unveiled has launched a new short webinar series to discuss the role of skills and higher education in the development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems. The series’ fourth installment showcased Dr Doug O'Brien, President and CEO of the US National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International, and Dr Shantae Edwards, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Public Service, New York University. Key insights gleaned from this episode include:

1. Entrepreneurial skills matter for all businesses, regardless of their technological intensity, business models, and locations (whether in cities or rural areas);
2. Networks and collaborations are key: relevant connections allow new businesses to tap into larger international markets, lower risks, and maximise the chances of success;
3. Linking Entrepreneurship to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals: combining business models with inclusive development allows entrepreneurs to broaden support and diversify funding streams (from both private sources and public programmes).

The webinar was co-hosted by Dr Raffaele Trapasso, Ms Maria Sobron Bernal representing OECD, and Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan from ERIA.