Beyond Venture Creation: How the University Offerings Affect Student Entrepreneurs’ Well-being

This study explores the relationship between student entrepreneurship and well-being, with a focus on the role of universities in supporting student entrepreneurs. While there is considerable literature on how universities encourage students to engage in entrepreneurial activities, less is known about the impact of these activities on students’ well-being. This research argues that understanding this relationship is important for promoting entrepreneurship in a healthy manner. Using a sample of 2,194 students around the world who answered both the GUESSS 2018 and 2021, the study proposes a model to explore the relationship between entrepreneurial pathways during students’ academic studies, subjective well-being, and entrepreneurial-related human capital gained from the university’s entrepreneurial offerings. The study also considers gender differences in the relationship between entrepreneurial pathways and well-being. We found that students who experienced an entrepreneurial pathway during their academic path have an increase in entrepreneurial human capital, which in turn leads to higher levels of subjective well-being suggesting that universities’ entrepreneurial offerings play a crucial role in students’ well-being. By addressing these research questions, this article aims to contribute to the growing body of literature on the relationship between entrepreneurship and well-being, with implications for both universities and students.