CALL FOR PAPERS
2026 Global Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Conference (GEIRC)
[formerly known as Darden-Cambridge Conference on Entrepreneurship and Innovation]
15-16 June 2026 in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Paper submissions are due on 31st January 2026
The University of Cambridge Judge Business School will co-host the GEIRC with the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business, National Taiwan University College of Management, and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business at the University of Cambridge on 15-16 June 2026. This will be the thirteenth gathering of the conference, which rotates between North America, Europe, and Asia. This global gathering aims to promote scholarly collaborations across regions, continents, and academic communities worldwide.
Link here for more information about the 2026 GEIRC Conference: https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/geirc-2026/
Navigating Uncertainty: Building Resilient Ventures and Innovation Ecosystems in a Fragmented World
We stand at a critical inflection point. Rising geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts, technological decoupling, and macroeconomic volatility are fundamentally reshaping the landscape for innovation and entrepreneurship. Tariff wars, supply chain disruptions, and shifting alliances are fragmenting once-integrated global markets. Meanwhile, the race for technological advancement in AI, quantum computing, semiconductors, and clean energy is intensifying national industrial policies and redefining competitive dynamics.
In this new reality, how do entrepreneurs navigate national controls and technology transfer restrictions? What does resilience mean when markets fragment and geopolitical risks compound business uncertainties? How can innovation ecosystems thrive when the rules of global engagement are being rewritten?
The 2026 GEIRC invites scholars to examine these timely questions and contribute to our understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation in an era defined by complexity, ambiguity, and rapid transformation.
Conference Themes
We welcome unpublished working papers from all research areas related to entrepreneurship and innovation. We particularly encourage submissions addressing the following themes:
Theme 1: Scaling Frontier Technologies and Entrepreneurship – Riding the Waves
Theme 2: Industrial Policy and Innovation – Tariff Wars and Domestic Growth
Theme 3: University-Industry Collaboration – The Role of Clusters in a Fragmented Economy
Theme 4: Global Innovation Networks – Deglobalization and Geopolitical Conflicts
Theme 5: Innovation Finance – Managing Risk and Currency Wars in the Geoeconomic Era
Theme 6: Universities, Governments, and Policy in the New Geopolitical Era
Additional Research Areas
In addition to the thematic tracks above, we welcome submissions on all aspects of entrepreneurship and innovation research, including:
- New venture formation processes, financing, and strategies
- R&D and project management, performance metrics, and portfolio evaluation
- Institutions and policies to enhance entrepreneurship and innovation
- Markets for ideas, innovation, and other intangibles
- Regional and global dynamics of entrepreneurship and innovation
- University and science-based innovation and technology transfer
- Continuous improvement and new process development; new product development, development processes, and service design
- Patents, licensing, and intellectual property
- Business model innovation (e.g., operations, marketing, or network innovation)
- Open innovation and distributed innovation
- Market and financial impacts of innovation
- Entrepreneurial leadership and organizational resilience
- Innovation metrics and evaluation frameworks
- Digital platforms and innovation ecosystems
- Social entrepreneurship and inclusive innovation
- Climate technology and sustainable innovation
Submission Details
The conference promises to provide vigorous and lively discussion about current research in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation from a global perspective. Please submit an electronic version of your full paper no later than 31st January 2026, using the submission form at:
https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/events/geirc-2026/
The papers will be reviewed by the conference committee, and authors will receive notification by 28th February 2026. The conference committee extends an invitation to interested scholars to attend the conference regardless of whether a paper is submitted. Due to space limitations, participation at the conference requires pre-registration and is subject to confirmation from the conference organizers based on availability.
Important Dates
- Paper submission deadline: 31st January
- Review notification: 28th February 2026
- Registration opens: 1 March 2026
- Registration deadline: 15 April 2026
- Conference dates: 15-16 June 2026
Registration and Fees
$200 USD per participant, and the fee includes:
- Access to all conference sessions and presentations
- Lunch and refreshments on both days (15-16 June)
- Welcome reception and college dinner on 15 June evening
- Networking opportunities with leading scholars and practitioners
Note: The conference fee does not include accommodation or travel expenses. Participants are responsible for their own travel arrangements and lodging.
Registration details and payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance notification. All presenting authors must register by the registration deadline to be included in the final programme.
About This Conference
The Batten Institute at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business hosted the inaugural annual conference in 2010. As the conference grew in popularity, Darden partnered with the Academy of Management in hosting the 2012 event. Cambridge Judge Business School joined in 2013 as a co-sponsor alongside Darden, and since then, the event has rotated between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Asia. Previous hosts include the University of Hong Kong Faculty of Business and Economics (2017), National Taiwan University (2025), and the University of Colorado Boulder Leeds School of Business (2024).
Over its history, GEIRC has generated more than 35 published papers in leading journals including *Strategic Management Journal*, *Management Science*, *Organization Science*, *Journal of Business Venturing*, *Academy of Management Journal*, *Research Policy*, *Administrative Science Quarterly*, and *Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal*.
The conference history and previous programs can be found at: www.darden.virginia.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation-research-conference
Conference Venue
The conference will be held at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, offering participants the unique opportunity to experience one of the world's most vibrant innovation ecosystems.
Contact Information
For inquiries about the conference, please contact:
GEIRC 2026 Organizing Committee
Email: m.grimes@jbs.cam.ac.uk
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*We look forward to welcoming you to Cambridge in June 2026 for what promises to be an exceptional gathering of the global entrepreneurship and innovation research community.*