ECO-CARE

This project examines the influence of deep-tech tools on Early Career Researchers (ECR) in France, filling a critical gap in our understanding of their role within entrepreneurial ecosystems. By synthesizing the literature on university based entrepreneurial ecosystems (E-BEE), public policy tools and ECR's careers, the project aims to develop an innovative, multi-level and interdisciplinary framework that sheds light on the influence of these instruments. Adopting an ecosystemic approach to deep-tech instruments for entrepreneurship, the project argues that a full understanding of this influence requires examining ECR's careers alongside public policy tools within the broader framework of entrepreneurial ecosystems. The research design is based on a comprehensive methodological approach inspired by Theodoraki's (2024) protocol, incorporating case studies, focus groups, quantitative analysis and a survey to enable statistical generalization of results. The study will focus on three strands. The first phase uses qualitative methods, including interviews, to understand the deep-tech ecosystem for ECR. The second step combines focus groups and quantitative analysis to study the impact of deep-tech policy tools and the U-BEE on their careers. The final step focuses on recontextualizing the data collected throughout the project. By contributing to original research, the consortium aims to provide information that will benefit and have applications both to the international scientific community and to the field of entrepreneurial support. Ultimately, this study will provide valuable information for improving ECR support mechanisms in U-BEE, with significant implications for policy design and practical applications.