This book explores the Innovation Ecosystems enabled by digital technologies from the start-ups perspective in the framework of Circular Economy. Bringing together contributions from geographically-diverse entrepreneurship scholars, it offers a unique startup-centric lens, investigating how emerging ventures collaborate with corporations, navigate power asymmetries, and leverage technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, and data analytics to drive sustainable innovation. Through a blend of empirical case studies and conceptual frameworks, the book addresses key themes including startup–corporate collaboration dynamics, coopetition strategies, and digital platform governance. It also examines the impact of digital technologies on decision-making, resilience, and adaptability. Ideal for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, this book provides insights into how startups can catalyze systemic change and accelerate the transition toward sustainable, tech-driven innovation ecosystems.

Giustina Secundo is Vice Rector for Innovation and Third Mission and Full Professor of Management Engineering at LUM University Giuseppe Degennaro, Bari, Italy. With over 25 years of research experience, she has authored more than 200 international publications on the topic of Digital Transformation, Academic Entrepreneurship, Technology Transfer and Digital Innovation Ecosystem. She is co-editor of the Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research. For her scientific achievements, she is included among the Top Scientists in major global rankings (Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers, Stanford/Scopus Top 2% Scientists since 2022).

Renato Passaro is Full Professor of Management Engineering at the University of Naples, Parthenope, Italy, where he teaches Supply Chain and Innovation Management. He has participated in numerous national and EU-funded research projects, including Horizon 2020 initiatives. His research focuses on entrepreneurship, circular startups, sustainable supply chains, and small business management, with over 150 peer-reviewed publications.

Barbara Bigliardi is Full Professor of Management Engineering at the University of Parma, Italy. Her research spans innovation, sustainability, and management, with over 200 publications. She serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the European Journal of Innovation Management and as an Editorial Board Member of Sustainability. For her scientific achievements, she has been included among the world’s leading scientists in major international rankings (Stanford/Scopus Top 2% Scientists since 2020).

Alberto Michele Felicetti is Associate Professor of Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering at the University of Calabria, Italy. His work centers on collaborative networks, digitalization, and innovation management. He serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the European Journal of Innovation Management and has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications