Support, social impact scaling, and resilience: evidence from minority entrepreneurs

Purpose Drawing on empowerment theory, this study addresses a gap in the literature on new ventures' scaling social impact by examining evidence from minority entrepreneurs. It explores how value circulates within entrepreneurial ecosystems by explaining how ecosystem support relates to entrepreneurs' ability to scale social impact and how, in turn, scaling social impact strengthens entrepreneurial resilience. Design/methodology/approach This research analyzes the relationships between ecosystem support and the scaling of social impact, using survey data from minority entrepreneurs. The study captures multiple forms of support from ecosystem actors and tests their effects on entrepreneurs' capacity to scale social impact and their resilience. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze data. Findings Evidence from minority entrepreneurs indicates that receiving diverse forms of support within the entrepreneurial ecosystem is positively associated with the ability to scale social impact. In turn, scaling social impact strengthens resilience in the face of entrepreneurial challenges. Results further suggest that the ability to scale social impact mediates the relationship between the multiplicity of support sources and entrepreneurial resilience. Originality/value This research contributes new insights into ecosystem-level dynamics by leveraging evidence from minority entrepreneurs. By integrating empowerment theory with entrepreneurial ecosystem perspectives, it advances understanding of how support mechanisms can be mobilized to promote both social impact scaling and entrepreneurial resilience.