Purpose
This paper identifies exigent factors that enable and constrain trust building in a science-based innovation ecosystem.
Design/methodology/approach
Set in the Northeast England, this study adopts a processual sensemaking approach to thematically analyse interviews with a diverse range of participants in six science-based SMEs.
Findings
The findings provide a unique exposition of trust building in an innovation ecosystem across geographic and platform relationships. In doing so, the findings highlight factors outside of contractual agreements that enable or constrain trust building in an innovation ecosystem.
Research limitations/implications
Limitations centred on subjectivity in the use of thematic analysis, sample bias and size. Sampling limitations were mitigated through the research design and analysis.
Practical implications
The findings provide unique insights into understanding the exigent factors that enable or constrain trust building in a science-based innovation ecosystem.
Originality/value
The study identifies five exigent factors that constrain or enable trust building in science-based SMEs' innovation ecosystem at a micro-level – building network relationships, degree of novelty, protection of innovations, propensity for adding value, propensity for risk.
