Prince Mohammed Bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship (MBSC) highlighted its founding role in the second edition of the International Entrepreneurship Research Conference (IERC 2026), held in Cairo from October 26 to 28, 2026, bringing together leading international experts and researchers to discuss the future of entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, family businesses and sustainable innovation.
MBSC, a co-founder of the conference alongside the Babson Global Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (BGCEL), chaired the second edition, which took place at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Smart Village, Cairo, under the theme “Entrepreneurship, Family Business, and Sustainable Innovation.”
The conference was organized in collaboration with MBSC, BGCEL, AASTMT, the Saleh Kamel Organization for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network – Egypt.
Conference Brings Together International Experts to Explore Entrepreneurship
Dr. Adnan Maalaoui, MBSC Professor of Entrepreneurship and Conference Chair, said the event brought together researchers and experts from around the world to advance knowledge in entrepreneurship, family businesses and sustainable innovation.
He also highlighted the importance of strengthening international research collaboration and addressing the opportunities and challenges facing emerging economies.
Kim Stanhouse, Director of BGCEL, said the center aims to promote the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding region by supporting initiatives for entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators and researchers.
She added that BGCEL is proud to be one of the founding sponsors of IERC, noting that initiatives such as the conference help strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem by advancing academic research in the region and providing policymakers with high-quality data to support informed decision-making.
The conference’s academic program featured six main tracks covering entrepreneurial behavior and opportunity discovery; social, sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship; women’s entrepreneurship; digital entrepreneurial ecosystems; family businesses; and public policy and other research topics.
Research Sessions Highlight Women’s Entrepreneurship and Family Businesses
The conference program began on October 26 with participant registration and a welcome reception. On October 27, the official opening featured keynote addresses, a session on entrepreneurial ecosystems, academic research presentations and a session with journal editors. The day concluded with a gala dinner on the Nile.
On October 28, participants attended specialized research sessions, a panel discussion on women’s entrepreneurship and a session on family businesses moderated by Eng. Ahmed Othman.
The conference concluded with a closing ceremony, the presentation of the Best Research Paper Awards and the announcement of upcoming editions.
The third edition of the International Entrepreneurship Research Conference is scheduled to take place in Istanbul, Turkey, on April 29–30, 2027, followed by the fourth edition in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from March 12 to 14, 2028.
These upcoming editions reaffirm MBSC’s and its partners’ commitment to advancing entrepreneurship research, strengthening international academic collaboration and fostering innovation across the region.
The conference also provided a platform for strengthening dialogue between academic research and the business community, promoting international collaboration and supporting innovation and entrepreneurial ventures, contributing to sustainable economic development in Egypt and the wider region.
Despite the challenges facing the region and the wider world, IERC remains committed to advancing knowledge exchange and research-driven dialogue, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, educators and policymakers to address emerging challenges and support the development of sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystems.
MBSC is located in King Abdullah Economic City and also delivers its educational programs in Riyadh. The college offers world-class education focused on practical, hands-on and experiential learning, aiming to develop a new generation of transformative leaders.
