Drawing on feminist masculinity insights, this paper extends thinking on entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs) by investigating how allyship can catalyse inclusivity in gendered EEs.
We build an argument for Allies as change agents to de-bias EEs and move them toward greater inclusivity. We engage with extant scholarship on allyship to derive propositions and dimensions of authentic allyship in EEs. An illustrative example of male allyship lends support to our conceptualisation of authentic allyship.
We advance allyship and the notion of authentic allyship as a means for moving toward gender inclusive EEs. Our illustrative example provides a springboard for application of the dimensions of authentic allyship and an understanding that feminist allyship masculinity can contribute to breaking down hegemonic masculinity of entrepreneurship and EEs.
This conceptual paper lays a foundation for new thinking on allyship and Allies as change agents for inclusive EEs. It is unique in suggesting a shift in the dominant hegemonic masculinity typical of EEs, to a feminist allyship masculinity to catalyse inclusive EEs. It outlines the dimensions of a novel notion of authentic allyship for EEs. Delineation of what constitutes authentic allyship provides valuable guidance for the practice of allyship in EEs.
