Dr Mira Bloemen-Bekx is Professor Regional Innovative Capacity at the Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands. Mira became a Doctor of Business Economics specializing in Entrepreneurship and Family Business in 2019, graduating from Hasselt University, Belgium, winning the ‘Best Doctoral Dissertation Award’ of the Family Firm Institute, USA, in 2020. Prior to that, Mira had a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and strategic marketing consultant for SMEs and family businesses and as a lecturer, head of department and dean in higher education before she became a professor. Her academic interests focus on (family)business owners with a long-term perspective who have a value-driven approach to leading their businesses. Topics include innovative capacity, regional development, ecosystems, SMEs and family businesses.