Hope is a critical yet underexplored element of the entrepreneurial process, particularly in managing the uncertainty that is integral to entrepreneurial endeavors. This paper investigates the nature and role of hope in entrepreneurship by analyzing narratives from diverse entrepreneurs at various stages of the entrepreneurial journey. Through a qualitative exploration, we identify the key components and modes of hope, highlighting its cognitive and emotional dimensions. Specifically, we address two central research questions: (1) What is entrepreneurial hope? and (2) How does hope help manage the uncertainty inherent in the entrepreneurial process? Our findings reveal that entrepreneurial hope is a multifaceted phenomenon encompassing cognitive elements such as goal-setting, pathway assessment, and agency, as well as emotional aspects like desire and belief in possibility. Moreover, we explore how different modes of hope serve as adaptive mechanisms to navigate uncertainty, sustain motivation, and foster resilience. This study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by offering a nuanced understanding of hope as both a conceptual and practical resource in the entrepreneurial process.
