Putting research into policy and practice

The Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) is a network for people and organisations involved in small business and entrepreneurship research, policy, education, support and advice.

ISBE’s members are its most valuable resource, offering vast reserves of knowledge and research. Through events and activities ISBE aims to disseminate this research to policy makers and business support organisations, where it can have genuine impact and inform change, and to share these resources with academics, researchers and educators. Through ISBE’s network and activities academics, policy makers and those who work in business support are able to connect and form beneficial working relationships.

RAKE Fund

Providing financial support to new research activities from academics, third sector organisations, businesses, consultants and practitioners.
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ISBE 2026

November 5 - 6

  “Resilient and Regenerative Entrepreneurship: Navigating Climate Challenges and the Circular Economy”   This year, we are delighted to be bringing ISBE to Cork, Ireland  and look forward to another stimulating and vibrant event. Click here to watch the Welcome video from MTU President, Professor Maggie Cusack. The ISBE conference connects practitioners and policymakers with business support practitioners and academics, nurturing productive dialogue and engagement amongst these groups, allowing research to inform policy and practice to create genuine change, while facilitating practitioner and policy communities to inform the research agenda and support engaged scholarship and knowledge exchange. The conference also provides the opportunity for everyone from PhD students, early career researchers and established academics through to entrepreneurs and policymakers to discuss their work and receive valuable feedback from other experts in their field. Certificate of Attendance A Certificate of Attendance can be requested by emailing  after the Conference. Advance Notice Please…

conference details

Upcoming Events

P&I SIG Activities and Planning for 2026

We are pleased to invite you to the first P&I SIG online meeting of the…
May 21, 2026

Online Showcase: Good Practice in Teaching Enterprise & Entrepreneurship in Sport

Hosted by: ISBE Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Sport Community of Interest Format: Online | 60…
June 3, 2026

Meet the International Small Business Journal Editor!

            This interactive Meet the Editor session offers a behind-the-scenes…
June 22, 2026

ISBE and EEUK Writing Retreat (Peter Scott)

29th June - 2nd July 2026 at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham University Peter…
June 29, 2026

Special Interest Groups (SIGS)

ISBE’s specialist groups are central to our vision to connect our membership and their communities to pursue excellence in small business and entrepreneurship. The work of our committed team of COI and SIG Chairs is key to the Institute’s ongoing development and support of our membership and beyond.

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News

The Case Centre – Successful Case Teaching workshop

Dates: 29, 30 June and 1 July 2026, Three synchronous sessions each at 14h-18h (BST) via Zoom. This workshop is...

Join the Clean Growth Innovation Programme

The programme is designed to support organisations to embed circular economy thinking, develop clean growth plans, and drive sustainable innovation....

New Open Access Research on AI, Copyright, and Digital Labour: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Open access study shows how generative AI uses creative content and offers practical frameworks for fair attribution and protection. Open...

BU Inclusive Entrepreneurship Series

A four-part experience building confidence, creativity, and real pathways into entrepreneurship—for those who don’t usually see themselves in it. Event...

ISBE: Call for Reviewers

Are you interested in reviewing for ISBE? We are looking to build a bank of reviewers to evaluate ISBE Conference...

Organisational Members

Some of our institutional members. Institutions can become Organisational Members during two application windows in January and July
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