Dear colleagues,

Sustainable entrepreneurship has become an important mechanism to address global sustainability problems by coordinating business goals with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The aim of this special issue is to explore how entrepreneurs develop innovative paths to create a value that is socially, environmentally and economically sustainable. It seeks to deepen understanding of how business enterprises adapt to and exploit new global trends such as technological innovation, digital transformation, climate change and changing consumer preferences, in line with the SDGs (Chaudhary et al., 2023; Huang et al., 2023; Naderi et al., 2022).

Sustainability and entrepreneurial intersections are considered important driving forces to promote innovation and social change (Prakash et al., 2024; Shepherd and Patzelt, 2011). Entrepreneurs are increasingly moving beyond profit-oriented goals to include global issues such as poverty, inequality, climate change and responsible consumption (Cohen and Winn, 2007; York & Venkataraman, 2010). Through the application of sustainable business models and green technologies, entrepreneurs are creating impactful solutions that contribute to the long-term well-being of both society and the planet (Leal Filho et al., 2024; Schaltegger and Wagner, 2011).

This special issue welcomes theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and case studies that explore innovative business models and practices, policy enablers, and the barriers to achieving sustainability goals through entrepreneurship. Key topics include the role of digitalization in promoting sustainable development, the contribution of social entrepreneurship to sustainable development goals and the potential of climate-oriented companies to reduce environmental risks. Researchers are invited to analyze how entrepreneurial innovation can drive system-level change to achieve sustainable development goals amid dynamic global challenges.

The goal of this special issue is to enrich the academic discourse on sustainable entrepreneurship while offering actionable insights for policymakers and business leaders who aim to accelerate sustainable development.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship;UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);Innovation and Sustainability;Social Entrepreneurship;Green Business Models;Emerging Global Trends; Impact-driven Entrepreneurship;Digital Transformation and Sustainability;Policy and Sustainable Development;Climate Entrepreneurship