Start-ups in entrepreneurial ecosystems: the role of relational capacity

Purpose Entrepreneurial ecosystems provide the context for start-ups to access resources. The authors investigate reliance of on their entrepreneurial ecosystem and driving factors behind proportion local actors (belonging ecosystem) within overall set relationships (their business ecosystem). Recognizing limited relational capacity firms, focus three differentiating firm characteristics: size, age innovation firms. Design/methodology/approach developed a sample 163 located in Toulouse, France. investigated characteristics relationship sets using regression analysis. Findings results confirm that is inversely related start-up's its ecosystem. More surprisingly, older start-ups, also highlight presence moderating effect size between degree ecosystem: Larger more innovative appear rely Originality/value This research increases understanding interactions with by adopting approach. introduce digital methods as an approach uncovering firms' ecosystems. Finally, from practical point view, should public authorities seeking promote link resources development regions interesting insights.