A transversal reconceptualization of entrepreneurship education: applying insights from the lean social launch framework to the entrepreneurial university

Entrepreneurship education has long been framed as a crucial component of the entrepreneurial university and its corresponding economic impact. The predominantly commercial focus of academic entrepreneurship, however, potentially limits theorizing about how academic units not otherwise involved in entrepreneurship contribute to the entrepreneurial university. Following recent calls for scholars to conceptualize transversal approaches to entrepreneurship education, this paper examines the design and delivery of lean social launch (LSL), a socially oriented derivative of the emerging lean launch method. We find that by broadening the context in which opportunities are identified and value is created, LSL attracts individuals who might not otherwise participate in entrepreneurial activities. Further, LSL provides participants with pathways to social and commercial value creation and serves as a venue for socially focused entrepreneurial identity play, an important antecedent to entrepreneurial behavior. Implications for the conceptualization of the entrepreneurial university and its policy and programmatic supports are explored.