Entrepreneurship and innovation in the digital era

The university textbook Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Digital Era offers a comprehensive analysis of how the Fourth Industrial Revolution is transforming the entrepreneurial economy. The author adopts a multidimensional framework that integrates foundational economic theories with the practical implications of digitalization, innovation models, and institutional support in shaping modern entrepreneurial dynamism. The textbook examines entrepreneurs' role in economic development and analyzes various forms of business activity, including corporate, social, family, and women’s entrepreneurship. It addresses the creative process of launching start-ups through methodologies such as the Business Model Canvas and Lean Startup. It also covers identifying digital megatrends, preparing business plans, and accessing alternative financing sources, including angel investors, venture capital funds, and crowdfunding. The textbook explores the relationships among creativity, innovativeness, and entrepreneurial orientation, and introduces the concept of soft innovations within the creative industries. It pays particular attention to digital transformation in agriculture, the automotive industry, and retail, emphasizing the practical implications of innovation across sectors. Within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the text highlights the significance of education at all levels, the transformation of universities into entrepreneurial campuses and innovation ecosystems, and the roles of institutions such as incubators, accelerators, hubs, clusters, and science and technology parks. Case studies of global and regional companies such as Tesla, Apple, Netflix, Infobip, Frame, and Rimac support the theoretical discussions. Through this approach, the textbook bridges theory and practice, giving students and practitioners insights into contemporary business models and innovation strategies. It serves as a significant scientific and educational resource, offering insights for fostering and developing culture and enhancing innovation capacity. The textbook is designed for students, managers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, equipping them with essential tools to understand and apply innovations in the digital era.