This research was carried out with the aim of explaining the factors of entrepreneurship ecosystem in universities and higher education centers of the country, and is considered field research in terms of data collection, non-experimental in terms of controlling the variables, applied research in terms of purpose, and exploratory sequential mixed method research in terms of methodology. The statistical population of the study consisted of startup activists in Iran. Using the Cochran formula, a sample comprising 286 individuals was selected randomly. For data analysis, we used the SPSS₂₂ software. According to the findings, the policy component was identified through the factors of “strengthening the private sector”, “appointing a trustee”, “supporting productive entrepreneurship”, “balanced development” and “financial attractiveness for entering the ecosystem”; the cultural component was identified through the factors of “entrepreneurial success stories”, and “developing entrepreneurial culture and entrepreneurial thinking”; the human capital component was identified through the factors of “agricultural business skills training ecosystem”, “reviewing the higher education structure”, “manpower training”, “encouraging the professors to become entrepreneurs” and “target-based budgeting in universities”; the support component was identified through the factors of “the role of advisors” and “providing the physical space, legal infrastructure and entrepreneurial support institutions”; the market component was identified through the factors of “networking”, “competitive platform” and “the political status of the country’s market”; and the financial capital component was identified through the factors of “access to financial resources” and “timely financial injections”. Notably, it is through the effective role of agricultural universities and higher education centers that the students and graduates become equipped with entrepreneurial skills and are encouraged to start their own businesses; therefore, it is recommended that the agricultural universities and higher education centers have a dynamic and constructive interaction with the other activists of the field of entrepreneurship.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem, Start-up, Universities, Higher Education Centers

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