Portfolio entrepreneurship in the technology industry: An analysis of Crunchbase data towards a conceptual model and propositions.

This article focuses on portfolio entrepreneurship (PE) in the technology industry, examining how entrepreneurs who simultaneously manage multiple ventures navigate the interplay between individual agency and external structural factors. Using a sample of 1,001 multi-founders from Crunchbase, the study develops a conceptual framework based on resource orchestration that highlights variations within PE, including roles, ethnic minority participation, celebrity entrepreneurs, founding versus investment activities, country of residence, and academic affiliations. The findings emphasize that PE outcomes result from dynamic alignment between entrepreneurs' strategic decision-making and contextual influences such as regulatory, economic, and institutional conditions. The article proposes six key propositions for further research and suggests practical policy measures to support the diverse needs of portfolio entrepreneurs in high-growth, technology-driven sectors.