Building and developing entrepreneurial team identity: insights from the CEU iLab incubation

Purpose The objective of this study is to integrate various theories of identity within entrepreneurship and derive insights and propositions that enhance the understanding of how an incubation program influences the formation and development of entrepreneurial team identity. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative multiple case study design to explore how entrepreneurial team identity develops within ventures incubated at CEU iLab. The analysis is based primarily on interviews with individual entrepreneurs from five selected ventures, complemented by secondary data to enrich and contextualize the findings. Findings The findings revealed the interconnections between entrepreneurial team formation processes, social interactions, networking, entrepreneurial team stability, feedback mechanisms, team dynamics and intrateam trust and legitimacy. Moreover, the cultivation of a culture defined by trust, open communication and the active integration of feedback mechanisms played a pivotal role in the creation of collaborative team environments. Furthermore, the process of building an entrepreneurial team is heavily reliant on shared vision, common values, complementary skill sets, intrateam trust and pre-existing relationships. Originality/value This study addresses a notable gap in the existing literature by studying how entrepreneurial teams and individual entrepreneurial team members manage to form and develop their entrepreneurial identity. By focusing on the dynamic processes behind identity formation within teams, this research provides novel insights into the motivations that drive individuals and teams to engage in entrepreneurial activities. This focus on the interplay between identity and team processes represents a distinctive and timely addition to the field.