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Author
BELLO MOHAMMED KWALLI
Department of Business Administration,
Faculty of Management Sciences,
National Open University of Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria
0803 306 3071
ABSTRACT
This study examined how innovation ecosystems affect startup growth, access to funding, job creation, and the effectiveness of government policies. The primary focus was on the Abuja Technology and Innovation Hub (ATIH). The research explored how government support, infrastructure, access to capital, and entrepreneurial education influence startup performance and sustainability. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered via a five-point Likert scale to 120 participants from various organizations within the ATIH ecosystem. The survey instrument demonstrated high reliability, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.858. Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong positive correlations between access to finance and startup growth (r = 0.695, p < .001), entrepreneurial education and job creation (r = 0.770, p < .001), and government support and startup growth (r = 0.683, p < .001). There was also a notable link between entrepreneurial education and opportunities for networking and receiving advice (r = 0.612, p < .001). Conversely, high interest rates (r = -0.452) and bureaucratic inefficiencies (r = -0.374) emerged as significant barriers to funding and business establishment, while security and technical issues showed no significant impact. These findings underscore the importance of integrated policy frameworks, targeted financial instruments, and robust educational support systems in fostering innovation-driven entrepreneurship and sustainable job creation in Nigeria’s emerging technology hubs.Keywords: Access to Finance, Entrepreneurial Education, Government Support, Innovation Ecosystem, Startup Growth