UNIVERSITIES AS CENTERS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STARTUP CULTURE AND TECHNOLOGICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The article analyzes the role of universities in the formation of startup culture and the development of technological entrepreneurship in the context of the digitalization of the economy. The purpose of the study is to identify the mechanisms by which universities stimulate students' entrepreneurial activity and integrate into regional and national innovation ecosystems. The work uses an approach that includes the analysis of literary sources, statistical data and examples of successful practices of leading Russian universities. Three main directions of university transformation have been identified: the formation of entrepreneurial thinking and career guidance, the development of organizational mechanisms to support startups, as well as the participation of universities in innovation clusters. The article focuses on the role of the educational environment, the introduction of project and business training, as well as the development of university infrastructure – incubators, accelerators, technology transfer centers. The importance of initiatives such as the Startup as a Diploma program in increasing student engagement was noted. The main conclusion of the study is that universities have already become entry points into the innovative economy, but in order to unlock their potential, systemic support and strengthening intersectoral cooperation between core and regional universities are needed. The work has relevance and practical significance, offering sound directions for the development of the university startup ecosystem in the near future.