“It’s a structural shift—and it’s happening fast.” That is one of the defining messages from the Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026 (GSER). While the report focuses on startups and innovation ecosystems, it also provides an important insight for universities around the world: the institutions that will have the greatest impact over the next decade will be those that see themselves not simply as centres of teaching and research, but as architects of innovation ecosystems. 

Innovation is increasingly driven by collaboration between universities, industry, investors and government. The world’s leading ecosystems are built on the ability to connect talent, research, entrepreneurship and investment to create economic and societal value. Universities sit at the centre of this process. 

A changing global innovation landscape 

The report presents compelling evidence that the innovation economy is undergoing profound change. 

One of its most striking findings is that AI-native startup funding has increased by 218% since 2021, while overall technology funding has declined by 36% over the same period. Rather than representing a downturn, the report argues that this reflects a structural shift in where investors see future value. 

Similarly, Series A funding for AI-native companies reached US$15 billion in 2025, increasing by 17% compared with the previous year, despite continued caution across much of the wider technology market. 

The report also highlights the increasing concentration of innovation. North America now attracts 73% of global early-stage AI investment and 86% of late-stage AI funding, while London has strengthened its position as Europe’s leading AI startup ecosystem, growing its ecosystem value by 79% in just two years. 

These statistics tell us something important. The world’s strongest innovation ecosystems are those that combine world-class research, entrepreneurial talent, access to capital, supportive public policy and effective collaboration. 

Universities are central to every one of these ingredients. 

Universities are becoming ecosystem builders 

For many years, universities have spoken about their “third mission” of contributing to economic and social development alongside teaching and research. 

Today, that mission is becoming central rather than supplementary. 

Across the world, governments increasingly expect universities to: 

• develop entrepreneurial graduates; 

• translate research into economic and societal impact; 

• support business creation and growth; 

• strengthen regional innovation ecosystems; 

• foster international collaboration; and 

• contribute to national productivity and competitiveness. 

The GSER reinforces this direction of travel. Successful ecosystems depend upon connected institutions, shared leadership and long-term collaboration. Universities are no longer simply participants in innovation ecosystems—they are becoming ecosystem builders. 

The entrepreneurial university is becoming the global university 

The concept of the entrepreneurial university has evolved considerably. 

Historically, it was often associated with patents, technology transfer and spin-out companies. While these remain important, today’s entrepreneurial university is defined by something much broader. 

Leading institutions are creating cultures where entrepreneurship is embedded across teaching, research, leadership and engagement with society. They are developing graduates who can identify opportunities, solve complex problems, work across disciplines and create value in many different contexts—not only by founding businesses but also through innovation in established organisations, the public sector and civil society. 

The OECD has consistently argued that universities are fundamental to strengthening innovation capacity, regional competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.  As Artificial Intelligence reshapes almost every sector, these capabilities become even more important. Technical knowledge alone will not be sufficient. Graduates will also require creativity, resilience, ethical judgement, adaptability and entrepreneurial thinking to thrive in an increasingly uncertain world. 

At NCEE, we have long argued that entrepreneurship should not sit on the margins of university life. It should be embedded within institutional leadership, strategy and culture. 

Through our Entrepreneurial University Award, leadership programmes and international partnerships, we have seen universities across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Middle East demonstrate that entrepreneurial thinking is not an optional extra—it is a strategic capability. 

The Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026 reinforces this global shift. 

The universities that will thrive over the next decade are unlikely to be those that simply produce more startups. 

They will be those that build stronger innovation ecosystems, develop entrepreneurial graduates, create meaningful partnerships and demonstrate lasting value to their regions and the wider world. 

Perhaps the question for university leaders is no longer whether their institution supports entrepreneurship. 

The more important question is this: Is your university building the kind of innovation ecosystem that your region, your country and the global economy will need over the next decade? 

OECD. (2019). OECD SME and Entrepreneurship Outlook 2019. Paris: OECD Publishing. 

Startup Genome & Global Entrepreneurship Network. (2026). Global Startup Ecosystem Report 2026.