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Purpose: To explore intellectual capital (IC) in the business ecosystem perspective, the chapter examines its connection with several “enabling” factors that influence the creation and development of innovative startups. The most significant of them are: institutions and organizations able to sharpen new entrepreneurship skills; the simplification of rules and granting of incentives; and the enhancement of entrepreneurship IC and accessible financing methods.

Design/methodology/approach: Based on a conceptual model, some testable research propositions are proposed, followed by a discussion on the direction of future research.

Findings: The propositions suggest that several enabling factors and their interactions are explanatory variables of if and how the business ecosystem works.

Research limitations/implications: The limitation of the chapter is its theoretical approach, requiring empirical validation of these enabling factors in connection with IC. Theoretical implications are related to the operating synergies of the four enabling factors also in connection with profitable use of IC resources.

Practical implications: Practical implications are related to managerial and political issues. Managers and policy-makers must consider and monitor the business ecosystems and the dynamics of these factors in order to define and implement efficacious strategies and provide new incentive to stimulate and support the creation of new companies and the value of IC.

Originality/value: The chapter contributes to theoretical literature thanks to its propositions: enforcing the four most important key factors while encouraging profitable use of IC resource policy-makers and new entrepreneurs who can assist in the growth and expansion of innovative startups.