Research-Thesis: The contribution of artificial intelligence to supporting future entrepreneurs: what tools? what processes?

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is widely presented as a transformative force for entrepreneurship, with particular promise in finance automating forecasts, stress-testing business plans and modelling risk in ways once reserved for large firms. Yet this promise is mostly described in aspirational terms. Far less is known about whether AI has actually reached the organisations that support early-stage entrepreneurs. This thesis addresses that gap through the case of Wallonia.

The central question is how Walloon support structures organise their processes and use tools to assist startups with financial planning, forecasting, and risk analysis and to what extent artificial intelligence contributes to these practices. The aim is to move beyond the general discourse on AI's potential and document the concrete reality faced by the professionals who guide entrepreneurs day to day.