Learning Ecosystem in South Karelia – Strengthening Business–University Collaboration

Abstract

Entrepreneurship ecosystems are increasingly approached as complex, learning-oriented systems where value is created through continuous interaction among multiple actors rather than through isolated support services. Business service ecosystems face growing pressure to operate in a more integrated, customer-oriented, and resource-efficient manner. This article examines the development of a regional entrepreneurship service ecosystem in South Karelia, Finland, focusing on the introduction of a shared AI-guided landing page designed to align business services and improve customer guidance across organizational boundaries. The study applies an explanatory case study approach to explore what kinds of benefits actors within the business service ecosystem including universities, development companies, and other support organizations perceive from the use of a common AI-assisted guidance platform in their daily work. Empirical data were collected through two participatory workshops conducted in early 2026, combining facilitated dialogue, qualitative tasks, and experimentation with an AI-supported simulation environment. The findings suggest that the AI-guided landing page supports ecosystem-level learning by clarifying service boundaries, strengthening mutual trust, and improving the consistency and transparency of customer guidance. Rather than functioning merely as a technological tool, the landing page operates as a shared learning structure that enables co-creation, data-informed development, and more effective orchestration of business services. The article contributes to entrepreneurship ecosystem and service ecosystem research by illustrating how digital and AI-enabled solutions can support the transition from fragmented business services toward integrated, learning-oriented ecosystems