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Ute  Stephan

Professor Ute Stephan

Professor of Entrepreneurship

Research interests

  • Strategy, International Management and Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Business
  • Good health & well-being (SDG 3)

Biography

Ute Stephan is a Professor of Entrepreneurship at King’s Business School, King’s College London.

Ute’s research has won multiple international awards including the 2025 JIBS Decade award for her lead-authored paper ‘Institutions and Social Entrepreneurship’. She ranks among the top 2% of scientists worldwide based on citations to her work (Stanford study). She has been recognized for her scientific contributions as a Fellow of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and a 21st Century Entrepreneurship Fellow. Her research has attracted over £3 million in funding from the European Commission, the UK Government, UK research councils, charities, and German government institutions. She is regularly invited to give keynote addresses at leading international conferences (examples here) and is interviewed on topics of entrepreneurs’ mental well-being, the psychology of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and societal impact (examples here). Her research has often been featured in the media including the Financial Times, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, WIRED, BBC, AlJazeera, Bloomberg, and others.

Ute currently leads a 25-country study involving over 5,000 entrepreneurs on Entrepreneurship & COVID-19, a project on women entrepreneurs’ wellbeing, and she was a lead investigator of the 10-country SEFORIS project which stands for Social Enterprises as a Force for Inclusive and Innovative Societies, and its predecessor the SELUSI project. She has led projects commissioned by UK Government Departments on social entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial aspirations.

She is an elected board member of the International Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) and chairs the IAAP publication committee. She is also an IfM Research Fellow at the IfM Bonn – Institute fuer Mittelstandsforschung and Strategic Advisor to the Founder Mental Health Pledge.

As a thought leader in the Psychology of Entrepreneurship, Ute explores the human side of entrepreneurship and investigates how individuals and societies can thrive through entrepreneurship. Key themes in her research are (1) entrepreneurial well-being, stress, and mental health, (2) social entrepreneurship and inclusive business, and (3) national culture and institutions. She publishes in leading academic journals such as the Journal of Business Venturing (JBV), Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice (ETP), Annual Review of Organizational Psychology & Organizational Behavior, Journal of Management, Journal of International Business Studies (JIBS), and others. Ute currently serves as Associate Editor at two ABS4* journals, Journal of Management and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice. From 2015-2019 she was Editor-in-Chief of Applied Psychology: An International Review and from 2019-2022 Consulting Editor at the Journal of International Business Studies. Ute also serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Journal, Academy of Management Review, JBV, and ETP.

Personal Webpage

The publication feed is not currently available.

Research

Positive Entrepreneurship

The project explores how entrepreneurs and their families can flourish, thrive and be happy in the face of stressful entrepreneurial work.

Project status: Completed

Global 2
Supporting Entrepreneurship during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Global Study of Entrepreneurs' Resilience and Well-being

The Covid-19 pandemic threatens small businesses’ survival and entrepreneurs’ mental well-being. This project investigates their resilience strategies.

Project status: Ongoing

Portrait of Asian Female Startup Digital Entrepreneur Working on Computer, Line of Code Projected on Her Face and Reflecting by Gorodenkoff
Women entrepreneurs and their wellbeing: Understanding the interplay of gender, identity and life-course (WEWell)

The WEWell research project investigates women entrepreneurs' wellbeing in relation to their work and role as entrepreneurs at different points in their life.

Project status: Ongoing

News

Driving inclusive sustainability: In conversation with Professor Ute Stephan

In this interview, Professor Ute Stephan talks about her research on the barriers women face when starting social businesses, and how we can change it.

Ute Stephan

Professor Ute Stephan wins the most prestigious prize for published research in international business for work on social entrepreneurship

Ute Stephan, Professor of Entrepreneurship, has been awarded the 2025 Decade Award by the Journal of International Business Studies for her paper on social...

Ute Stephan

Underinvestment in UK start-ups sparks high-level roundtable talks

Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury joins 20 other innovation ecosystem leaders to discuss lack of investment in UK start-ups, which is at a...

Lord Livermore speaking at Investor Roundtable event

Will joining the Great Resignation to found your own business bring happiness?

The latest research suggests that it might, but entrepreneurship brings distinct stresses

Woman entrepreneur on phone and laptop sitting on sofa

Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor visit King's to meet women entrepreneurs

Professor Ute Stephan shared her findings on the resilience of women entrepreneurs during COVID

Professor Ute Stephan speaks at the Entrepreneurship Institute event. Also pictured are Sir Keir Starmer MP, Entrepreneurship Institute Director Julie Devonshire and two female entrepreneurs

Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor hears from female entrepreneurs

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2022, Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP yesterday...

starmer-event2

Toll of pandemic on entrepreneurs' mental health revealed in new report

A global study by King’s Business School into the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurs’ businesses and mental well-being has found that stress worsened...

Entrepreneur

International Women's Day 2021: The contribution of the women at King's to the global response to COVID-19

As part of the UN’s International Women’s Day 2021 theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, we recognise the important...

international women's day

16.6 Million UK jobs at risk if entrepreneurs and SMEs cannot sustain their businesses

Researchers from King’s Business School warn in a new report that many of the UK’s 5.86 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are in a precarious...

Closed Sign

Professor Ute Stephan contributes to Cherie Blair Foundation for Women global programme for women entrepreneurs

Scheme will help women entrepreneurs in low to middle income countries negotiate the impact of COVID-19

Women entrepreneurs

Events

30Oct

The Innovators Guide to MedTech & Entrepreneurship

Get a taste of what it's like to study MedTech Innovation & Entrepreneurship MSc at King's Business School.

Please note: this event has passed.

21Nov

Entrepreneurship Courses - Information Session

Join our information session on our Entrepreneurship courses available at King's Business School

Please note: this event has passed.

25May

The Innovator's Guide to MedTech Entrepreneurship

Join us on campus to find out more about our MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc

Please note: this event has passed.

25May

The Innovator's Guide to MedTech Entrepreneurship - Online

Join us online to find out more about our MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc

Please note: this event has passed.

24May

How to use ESG to build your business

Join SME leaders, industry speakers and King’s leading academics to share the latest developments in ESG.

Please note: this event has passed.

06May

Entrepreneurs and Covid-19: How to Deal with Stress, Stay Resilient and Re-Gain Control

This webinar offers insights for entrepreneurs from those who are in the process of starting their business to owners and managers of established businesses.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

How entrepreneurial skills can equip young people facing the bleak prospect of unemployment

Government interventions to improve the employability of young people could be more effective by considering how to develop entrepreneurial competencies

entrepreneurship-2020

Spotlight

Spotlight on COVID: Challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs

Ute Stephan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at King's Business School, discusses the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs during the pandemic...

spotlight-covid-1920

The publication feed is not currently available.

Research

Positive Entrepreneurship

The project explores how entrepreneurs and their families can flourish, thrive and be happy in the face of stressful entrepreneurial work.

Project status: Completed

Global 2
Supporting Entrepreneurship during the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Global Study of Entrepreneurs' Resilience and Well-being

The Covid-19 pandemic threatens small businesses’ survival and entrepreneurs’ mental well-being. This project investigates their resilience strategies.

Project status: Ongoing

Portrait of Asian Female Startup Digital Entrepreneur Working on Computer, Line of Code Projected on Her Face and Reflecting by Gorodenkoff
Women entrepreneurs and their wellbeing: Understanding the interplay of gender, identity and life-course (WEWell)

The WEWell research project investigates women entrepreneurs' wellbeing in relation to their work and role as entrepreneurs at different points in their life.

Project status: Ongoing

News

Driving inclusive sustainability: In conversation with Professor Ute Stephan

In this interview, Professor Ute Stephan talks about her research on the barriers women face when starting social businesses, and how we can change it.

Ute Stephan

Professor Ute Stephan wins the most prestigious prize for published research in international business for work on social entrepreneurship

Ute Stephan, Professor of Entrepreneurship, has been awarded the 2025 Decade Award by the Journal of International Business Studies for her paper on social...

Ute Stephan

Underinvestment in UK start-ups sparks high-level roundtable talks

Lord Livermore, Financial Secretary to the Treasury joins 20 other innovation ecosystem leaders to discuss lack of investment in UK start-ups, which is at a...

Lord Livermore speaking at Investor Roundtable event

Will joining the Great Resignation to found your own business bring happiness?

The latest research suggests that it might, but entrepreneurship brings distinct stresses

Woman entrepreneur on phone and laptop sitting on sofa

Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor visit King's to meet women entrepreneurs

Professor Ute Stephan shared her findings on the resilience of women entrepreneurs during COVID

Professor Ute Stephan speaks at the Entrepreneurship Institute event. Also pictured are Sir Keir Starmer MP, Entrepreneurship Institute Director Julie Devonshire and two female entrepreneurs

Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor hears from female entrepreneurs

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2022, Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP yesterday...

starmer-event2

Toll of pandemic on entrepreneurs' mental health revealed in new report

A global study by King’s Business School into the impact of the pandemic on entrepreneurs’ businesses and mental well-being has found that stress worsened...

Entrepreneur

International Women's Day 2021: The contribution of the women at King's to the global response to COVID-19

As part of the UN’s International Women’s Day 2021 theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world”, we recognise the important...

international women's day

16.6 Million UK jobs at risk if entrepreneurs and SMEs cannot sustain their businesses

Researchers from King’s Business School warn in a new report that many of the UK’s 5.86 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are in a precarious...

Closed Sign

Professor Ute Stephan contributes to Cherie Blair Foundation for Women global programme for women entrepreneurs

Scheme will help women entrepreneurs in low to middle income countries negotiate the impact of COVID-19

Women entrepreneurs

Events

30Oct

The Innovators Guide to MedTech & Entrepreneurship

Get a taste of what it's like to study MedTech Innovation & Entrepreneurship MSc at King's Business School.

Please note: this event has passed.

21Nov

Entrepreneurship Courses - Information Session

Join our information session on our Entrepreneurship courses available at King's Business School

Please note: this event has passed.

25May

The Innovator's Guide to MedTech Entrepreneurship

Join us on campus to find out more about our MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc

Please note: this event has passed.

25May

The Innovator's Guide to MedTech Entrepreneurship - Online

Join us online to find out more about our MedTech Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc

Please note: this event has passed.

24May

How to use ESG to build your business

Join SME leaders, industry speakers and King’s leading academics to share the latest developments in ESG.

Please note: this event has passed.

06May

Entrepreneurs and Covid-19: How to Deal with Stress, Stay Resilient and Re-Gain Control

This webinar offers insights for entrepreneurs from those who are in the process of starting their business to owners and managers of established businesses.

Please note: this event has passed.

Features

How entrepreneurial skills can equip young people facing the bleak prospect of unemployment

Government interventions to improve the employability of young people could be more effective by considering how to develop entrepreneurial competencies

entrepreneurship-2020

Spotlight

Spotlight on COVID: Challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs

Ute Stephan, Professor of Entrepreneurship at King's Business School, discusses the challenges and opportunities for women entrepreneurs during the pandemic...

spotlight-covid-1920