MBSC at IERC (MBSC
International discussions on entrepreneurship research expanded this week as Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship chaired the second International Entrepreneurship Research Conference in Cairo. The academic gathering took place from October 26 to October 28, 2026, at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport located in Smart Village. Held under the theme of sustainable innovation, the event gathered scholars, educators, and enterprise leaders from multiple institutions.
Collaborative Institutional Partnership
Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College co-founded the conference alongside the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. In addition, the organization of the second edition involved the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, the Saleh Kamel Organization for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network Egypt. Together, these entities created a platform connecting scholarly inquiry with active commercial practice across business ecosystems.
“The conference brings together researchers and experts from around the world to advance knowledge in entrepreneurship, family business, and sustainable innovation.”
Dr. Adnan Maalaoui, MBSC Professor of Entrepreneurship and Conference Chair
Advancing Entrepreneurship Research Across Six Tracks
The event structured its academic program around six distinct research tracks. These tracks examined entrepreneurial behavior, opportunity discovery, inclusive enterprise models, women in business, digital environments, and family enterprise dynamics. Furthermore, participants evaluated relevant public policy frameworks that influence emerging commercial markets.
The opening day on October 26 focused on participant registration and an introductory reception. On October 27, formal proceedings began with keynote addresses, research presentations, and an exchange with academic journal editors. The final day on October 28 introduced specialized panels, including a session on family firms moderated by Ahmed Othman, before closing with the Best Research Paper Awards.
“Initiatives like the IERC enable the entrepreneurial ecosystem by elevating research about and by academics in the region, and ensuring policymakers are equipped with resources to ground agendas in high-quality data.”
Kim Stanhouse, Director of BGCEL
Future Roadmap in Istanbul and Saudi Arabia
Organizers announced dates for the next two gatherings during the closing ceremony. The third edition will convene in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 29 and 30, 2027. Consequently, the fourth edition will return to Saudi Arabia, taking place in Jeddah from March 12 to 14, 2028. These milestones demonstrate sustained support for academic dialogue throughout the Middle East.
Regional Academic Foundations
Headquartered in King Abdullah Economic City, Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College delivers higher education programs across campuses in both that location and Riyadh. By leading events of this scale, the college connects academic research with practical economic requirements. Organizers confirmed that future editions will continue supporting entrepreneurship research across the region to address evolving commercial priorities.
