The orchestrating role of universities in University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems:

This paper examines the role of universities as orchestrators of University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems (UEEs). In this work, we adopt a relational perspective that jointly investigates the perception of both academic and non-academic startups regarding the role universities should play within these ecosystems. Additionally, we explore the obstacles that may slow down the university-startups relationships in UEEs. Building on primary data collected through a survey administered to 136 startups located in the Italian province of Padua, we explore (1) how universities address heterogeneous needs of academic and non-academic ventures, and (2) what are the main obstacles that negatively influence their mutual relationships in those ecosystems. Our findings highlight the emerging role of universities as orchestrators of UEEs. Building on our results and the previous literature, we were able to develop a multi-level taxonomy of institutional, network-related, and ecosystemic obstacles that hinder university–startup relationships and constrain orchestration practices. By reframing the role of universities as ecosystem orchestrators, rather than pure resource providers, this research contributes to the UEE literature and defines a practical path for supporting university leaders, start-up founders and decision makers in managing the factors that may hinder UEEs growth in a more effective way.