Enhancing Students' Entrepreneurial Competencies in Higher Education Through the Adoption of Startup Studios: Policy Recommendations for State Support

Over the past decades, there has been a renewed interest in entrepreneurial education. However, the theoretical underpinnings have not been translated into practice. Thus, the aim of this work is threefold: to explore how Startup Studios can enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of students, fostering a mindset conducive to innovation and venture creation, and to formulate recommendations for the effective development of Startup Studios, as well as to identify governmental support mechanisms that will aid in their advancement. In doing so, I will address two research questions: (1) What approaches to the development of startup studios are most effective? (2) What government mechanisms are necessary for the effective implementation of approaches to the development of startup studios? To explore these research questions, the mixed approach is selected for its capturing the richness of qualitative data with the precision of quantitative data. The research covers both the theoretical model of startup studios and the practical impact of these structures on the development of student entrepreneurship in Russia. The paper considers a startup studio as an organizational form that leads to the rapid transformation of ideas into startups, allowing students to acquire not only theoretical knowledge, but also practical entrepreneurial experience. Existing startup studios in Russia, their structure, operating mechanisms, and impact on the entrepreneurial ecosystem are also analyzed. It is anticipated that findings will add evidence to an emerging literature on contribution to the development of entrepreneurial human capital, offering a dynamic and experiential learning environment. Furthermore, the study's significance is underscored by recommendations that include the integration of Startup Studios into higher education curricula. This research contributes valuable insights, guiding the development of the theory and concept of Startup Studios as a new phenomenon in Russia.