Zoltan J. Acs is an internationally recognized economist specializing in entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic development. As Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), he leads interdisciplinary initiatives that bridge academia and society through impactful research, innovation, and collaboration. He is Professor Emeritus at George Mason University and has held visiting appointments at institutions including Imperial College Business School and the London School of Economics.
Acs founded the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Institute (GEDI) and is widely known for the Knowledge Spillover Theory of Entrepreneurship, which connects innovation systems to new venture creation. Over his career, he advised governments and international organizations on building entrepreneurial ecosystems to drive sustainable prosperity. His work continues to influence both academic research and policy worldwide.
Beyond VIGS, Acs previously taught in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University and served as Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Public Policy. He also served as Chief Economist at the U.S. Small Business Administration, held research roles at the Max Planck Institute for Economics (Jena), the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Columbia University, and the Kauffman Foundation, and co-founded and co-edits Small Business Economics. With László Szerb, he co-created the Global Entrepreneurship and Development Index (GEDI). He has published 200+ articles and 35 books, including Why Philanthropy Matters (2013).