Building Bridges to Success: Analysing the Strength of Ties in Entrepreneurial Networks and their Contribution to Resource Mobilisation for New Ventures - A multi-case study within the Netherlands and Sweden

Abstract: This thesis examines the complex relationship between networking and resource mobilisation in the context of entrepreneurship. The study investigates the extent to which different types of ties, namely strong, weak and new ties, contribute to an entrepreneur's ability to acquire resources. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with eight founders in Sweden and the Netherlands. The findings reveal the significance of weak ties in securing financial resources, while strong ties play a crucial role in gathering affective resources. Both strong and weak ties contribute to acquiring entrepreneurial know-how, and weak and new ties predominantly provide market-specific resources. The study highlights the emergence of new ties as a distinct category for resource acquisition. It challenges the prevailing notion that weak ties are universally the most valuable and emphasises the complex role of institutions and incubators in networking. Practical implications suggest entrepreneurs cultivate diverse networks and actively engage with support organisations. This research underlines the essential role of networking in entrepreneurial resource mobilisation, emphasising the need for strategic networking to exploit opportunities and create new ventures.