Toronto, 30 November 2023: The collaboration between universities, startups and SMEs, larger corporations, and public sector agencies is crucial for the development of innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems. Experts from around the world gathered in Toronto, Canada, to discuss how to promote these innovation connections and linkages in OECD countries and emerging economies during the second annual roundtable of the OECD Platform for Entrepreneurship Education Collaboration and Engagement Network (EECOLE), titled ‘Entrepreneurial Ecosystems as a New Policy Area.’ The roundtable was organised by the OECD and co-chaired by ERIA, supported by the Treasury Board of Canada. The event took place at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy of the University of Toronto.

Dr Giulia Ajmone Marsan, ERIA Director of Strategy and Partnership and Chair of the Steering Group of OECD EECOLE, chaired the session on ‘Developing the Future Agenda of EECOLE.’ Martin Godel, Chair of the OECD Committee on SME and Entrepreneurship, delivered a keynote speech to inform participants of the outcomes of the recent OECD Ministerial Meeting on entrepreneurship and SMEs, in which ERIA participated in Paris in June 2023. Additional speakers included experts from Canada, Brazil, Belgium, Italy, and the United States.

During the two-day roundtable, EECOLE set the agenda for the next biennium, with actions, projects, and activities in the United States, Latin America (including potential collaborations under G20 Brazil), and Europe. As a key EECOLE partner, ERIA will continue to strengthen EECOLE activities in Asia and will continue to work with EECOLE to design activities under the newly established Centre for Digital Innovation and Sustainable Economy – E-DISC.

The OECD Secretariat team that organised the event was led by Dr Raffaele Trapasso, Head of the Entrepreneurship Education and Skills Unit of the OECD Center for Entrepreneurship.

Second EECOLE Roundtable: Entrepreneurial Ecosystems as a New Policy Area by Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia on Scribd