Many countries want to enhance their respective entrepreneurial ecosystems. But it is difficult to know where to allocate support and resources without having the right data. This is among the many reasons different countries decide to join Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. This benefit stood out to the two newest teams that will be taking part in GEM’s research cycle beginning next year.
Armenia participated for the first time in GEM in 2019 and published its first National Report in 2020. There was a lack of sponsorship to continue four years ago, but now that has changed and funding has been secured for the foreseeable future. Thus, the new GEM Armenia team’s research will help promote entrepreneurship and nurture an entrepreneurial spirit in the country.
“We aim to regain access to GEM’s methodology to ensure that we have comparable data for Armenia and are actively integrating this information into our ongoing business requirements and enriching our knowledge base,” said Tigran Jrbashyan, team leader of the new GEM Armenia team. “Additionally, re-joining GEM fits perfectly with the Ameria cjsc strategy to be the lead research center in Armenia.”
Meanwhile in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a lack of information about entrepreneurship trends in the country. LiNK - Entrepreneurship and Business Association is addressing this void as the lead institution for the new GEM Bosnia and Herzegovina team. With a membership consisting of 240 start-ups and established businesses, the organization’s mission is to develop entrepreneurship in the country.
“Being part of GEM provides valuable, high-quality services for LiNK’s members,” said Alisa Gekić, GEM Bosnia and Herzegovina team leader. “GEM data will help us greatly improve the work of LiNK in the development sector and with the implementation of development programs.”
“Most research on entrepreneurship focuses on business registrations, such as the number of startups,” said GEM Executive Director Aileen Ionescu-Somers. “This only tells a select part of the story. GEM is the only truly global research source to capture insights directly from entrepreneurs. We are delighted to welcome teams from Armenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These countries share a commitment with our other 50 plus teams to fostering entrepreneurship that promotes the required innovation to exploit new opportunities, promote productivity, create employment and address some of society’s greatest challenges.”
If your country is not already represented by a GEM National Team and you believe you can form or fund a team to conduct GEM research, we would like to hear from you. Contact us at info@gemconsortium.org.