Entrepreneurial Universities and Start-up Ecosystems in Algeria: The Case of Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou (UMMTO)

Abstract

Universities are increasingly recognized as key actors in national innovation systems, particularly in emerging economies seeking to diversify their development models. This paper analyzes the entrepreneurial transformation of Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou (UMMTO) within the framework of Algeria’s higher education reforms and Ministerial Decision No. 1275, which links academic research to start-up creation and patenting. Using a mixed-methods approach combining statistical analysis of university records (2017–2025) with semi-structured interviews, the study examines institutional structures, training programs, and innovation outputs. Findings reveal substantial growth in entrepreneurial activity and the establishment of an integrated ecosystem comprising the Entrepreneurship Center, the Development Center for Entrepreneurship (CDE), and the University Incubator. Despite progress, challenges persist, including administrative delays, funding constraints, and disciplinary imbalance. The study contributes to theory and practice by applying the Entrepreneurial University and Triple Helix frameworks to a North African context, demonstrating that coherent leadership and government support can partially offset structural limitations. Policy recommendations include reinforcing interdisciplinary entrepreneurship education, enhancing post-incubation support, and streamlining regulatory procedures to accelerate the translation of academic research into economic value.

Keywords

• Entrepreneurial university
• Start-up ecosystem
• Innovation policy
• Algeria
• Ministerial Decree 1275
• University incubator

Cezayir'de Girişimci Üniversiteler ve Girişim Ekosistemleri: Tizi-Ouzou Mouloud Mammeri Üniversitesi (UMMTO) Örneği

Abstract

ÖZ Üniversiteler, özellikle kalkınma modellerini çeşitlendirmeye çalışan gelişmekte olan ekonomilerde, ulusal inovasyon sistemlerinde giderek daha fazla kilit aktör olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu makale, Cezayir'in yükseköğretim reformları ve akademik araştırmayı yeni kurulan şirketlerin kurulması ve patentlemeyle ilişkilendiren 1275 sayılı Bakanlık Kararı çerçevesinde Tizi-Ouzou Mouloud Mammeri Üniversitesi'nin (UMMTO) girişimcilik dönüşümünü analiz etmektedir. Üniversite kayıtlarının (2017-2025) istatistiksel analizini yarı yapılandırılmış görüşmelerle birleştiren karma yöntemli bir yaklaşım kullanan çalışma, kurumsal yapıları, eğitim programlarını ve inovasyon çıktılarını incelemektedir. Bulgular, girişimcilik faaliyetlerinde önemli bir büyüme ve Girişimcilik Merkezi, Girişimcilik Geliştirme Merkezi (CDE) ve Üniversite Kuluçka Merkezi'nden oluşan entegre bir ekosistemin kurulduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. İlerlemeye rağmen, idari gecikmeler, finansman kısıtlamaları ve disiplinler arası dengesizlik gibi zorluklar devam etmektedir. Çalışma, Girişimci Üniversite ve Üçlü Sarmal çerçevelerini Kuzey Afrika bağlamında uygulayarak teori ve pratiğe katkıda bulunmakta ve tutarlı liderlik ve devlet desteğinin yapısal sınırlamaları kısmen telafi edebileceğini göstermektedir. Politika önerileri arasında disiplinlerarası girişimcilik eğitiminin güçlendirilmesi, kuluçka sonrası desteğin artırılması ve akademik araştırmaların ekonomik değere dönüştürülmesini hızlandırmak için düzenleyici prosedürlerin basitleştirilmesi yer almaktadır.

Keywords

• Girişimci üniversite
• Başlangıç ekosistemi
• İnovasyon politikası
• Cezayir
• Bakanlık Kararnamesi 1275
• Üniversite kuluçka merkezi

References

1. Abdelghani, F., & Amara, H. (2024). Enhancing knowledge economy through university startup incubators: a study on fostering knowledge economy in Algeria. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development, 3(2), 14-27.
2. Benali Reguieg, N. (2025). ESP for Algerian startup holders under the ministerial decision 1275: boosting language skills for business succes. لكَلِم, 1(10), 290-306.
3. Boukhedimi, C. E. (2024). Examining the perception of gender on the risks associated with the creation of startups: Evidence from university students in Algeria. Ldealistic Journal of Advanced Research in Progressive Spectrums (IJARPS), 3(8), 21-27. https://journal.ijarps.org/index.php/IJARPS/article/view/379.
4. Budac, C. & Ilie, L. (2024). Les incubateurs d'entreprises universitaires comme outil de mise en œuvre de la formation à l'entrepreneuriat – approche théorique. Études en commerce et économie, 19(2), 37-48. https://doi.10.2478/sbe-2024-0023.
5. Clark, B. R. (1998). Creating entrepreneurial universities: organizational pathways of transformation. Issues in Higher Education. Elsevier Science Regional Sales, 665 Avenue of the Americas, New York.
6. Etzkowitz, H. ‏. (2003). Research groups as quasi-firms: the invention of the entrepreneurial university. Research policy, 32(1), 109-121. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0048-7333(02)00009-4.
7. Etzkowitz, H., & Leydesdorff, L. (2025). Innovation and the triple helix.‏ Scientometrics, 130(6), 3279-3291. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-025-05337-8.
8. Etzkowitz, H., & Zhou, C. (2017). The triple helix: university–industry–government innovation and entrepreneurship. Routledge.

9. Fayolle, A., & Torrès, O. (2011). Science and Technology Based Entrepreneurship in France: Towards a Regionalized Neo-Colbertism. In S. A. Mian (Eds.), Science and technology-based regional entrepreneurship: Global experience in policy and program development (pp. 108-124). Edward Elgar Publishing.
10. Giroux, H. A. (2014). Neoliberalism's war on higher education. ‏Haymarket books.
11. Guerrero, M., & Urbano, D. (2019). A research agenda for entrepreneurship and innovation: the role of entrepreneurial universities. In D. B. Audretsch, E. E. Lehmann, & A.N. Link (Eds.), A Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (pp. ‏107-133). Edward Elgar Publishing. https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788116015.00012.
12. Guerrero, M., Urbano, D., & Fayolle, A. (2016). Entrepreneurial activity and regional competitiveness: evidence from European entrepreneurial universities.‏. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 41(1), 105-131. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-014-9377-4.
13. Guerrero, M., Urbano, D., Fayolle, A., Klofsten, M., & Mian, S. (2016). Entrepreneurial universities: emerging models in the new social and economic landscape. Small Business Economics, 47(3), 551–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-016-9755-4.
14. Gulia, D., Arora, S., Malik, M., & Sharma, A. (2025). Navigating the incubation journey: challenges faced by startups in business incubators. Journal of Small Business Strategy, 35(3), 14–28. https://doi.org/10.53703/001c.138480.
15. Khoualed, A., Baci, I., Gueroui, A., & Almi, H. (2024). A new approach to developing startups in Algeria through university engagement: an examination of the implementation of ministerial decision no. 1275 at Annaba university and the higher school of management sciences (ESSG). Management and Entrepreneurship: Trends of Development, 3(‏29), 140-163. https://doi.org/10.26661/2522-1566/2024-3/29-13‏.
16. Loučanová, E., Olšiaková, M., Štofková, Z., & Dumiter, F. C. (2025). Evaluation of the relationship between the individual actors of the quintuple helix model and sustainability. Administrative Sciences, 15(10), 382. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15100382.
17. Metaiche, M. E. (2024). Entrepreneurship education in Algeria: insights from university students. les cahiers du mecas, 20(2), 131-145.https://asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/257334.
18. Meziane, A. (2023). Study of entrepreneurial intention and its influencing factors among researchers-A case study of the university of Boumerdes. International Journal of Economic Performance, 6(2), 236-260. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ripe/article/view/282710.
19. Mowery, D. C., Nelson, R. R., Sampat, B. N., & Ziedonis, A. A. (2015). Ivory tower and industrial innovation: University-industry technology transfer before and after the Bayh-Dole Act. Stanford University Press.
20. Nadjiba, S., & Khadidja, A. (2024). Universityb Business incubators in Algeria: promoting startups through ministerial instruction No. 1275. Journal of Law and Political Science, 11(1), 437-452.https://asjp.cerist.dz/en/article/239366.
21. Panakaje, N., Bhagwath, A. A., Parvin, S. R., & Kambali, U. (2024). Accelerating entrepreneurship: evidence from the incubation centers of management institutes of Dakshina Kannada. ‏Heliyon, 10(14), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34312.
22. Rosado-Cubero, A., Hernández, A., Jiménez, F. J. B., & Freire-Rubio, T. (2024). Does gender affect entrepreneurship? evidence from Spanish and Argentinian business incubators. Journal of Business Research, 170, 114326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.20.
23. Sadaoui, F., Fritih, S., & Boukhedimi, C. E,. (2025). The impact of entrepreneurial opportunity on strategic growth in light of the effectiveness of the generation of knowledge in ICT sector: A case of Mobilis in Bechar, Algeria.‏ EDPACS, 70, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/07366981.2025.2567312.
24. Saoud, W., Hani, M., & Louahab, O. (2024). Startups: an initial step for Algeriane entrepreneurial universities. ‏. European Journal of Management Issues, 32(4), 272-286.https://mi-dnu.dp.ua/index.php/MI/article/view/518.
25. Schebesch, K. B., ȘSoim, H. F., & Blaga, R. L. (2024). The triple-helix model as foundation of innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems.‏. Journal of Ethics in Entrepreneurship and Technology, 4(2), 104-129. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEET-08-2024-0026.
26. Sharma, R., & Sejwal, K. (2025). The incubator effect: how incubation centers’ challenges can disadvantage women entrepreneurs. ADHYAYAN: A journal of management sciences, 15(1), 40-47.Retrieved from https://www.smsjournals.com/index.php/Adhyayan/article/view/3359.
27. Shillie, P. N., & Wokwen, C. (2024). Business incubator and incubatee: a thematic review of challenges and success in africa. Unisia, 42(1), https://doi.org/10.20885/unisia.vol42.iss1.art5.
28. Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G. (2004). Academic capitalism and the new economy: Markets, state, and higher education. Jhu press.
29. Verstraete, T & Fayolle, A. (2005). Paradigmes et entrepreneuriat. Revue de l'Entrepreneuriat, 4(1), 33-52 https://shs.cairn.info/article/ENTRE_041_0033/pdf?lang=fr.