Dr. Andrew Jay Isaak
Assistant Professor University of Wuppertal
Visiting Professor of Business (2025–2026) EM Strasbourg Business School
Research
I conduct quantitative and qualitative research in entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable business, with a particular interest in digital entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurial finance, as well as sustainability transitions. My work combines theory-driven empirical research with strong practical relevance. Among others, I study how new digital markets (e.g. Cryptocurrencies, ICOs) and entrepreneurial ecosystems (e.g., AI Startups) emerge in different institional environments and regulatory regimes. I am also interested in equity crowdfunding and use text analytic methods and machine learning to examine how campaign narratives shape funding outcomes. My main affiliation is with the University of Wuppertal as a (senior) postdoctoral researcher. At Wuppertal, I hold lectures and seminars such as entrepreneurship and growth and case studies in entrepreneurship (e.g., Car- & Ride-sharing, Space Tourism, EVs, and others). Previously, I held appointments at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Vienna/Austria), the University of Düsseldorf (HHU/Germany), Solbridge International School of Business (Woosong University/South Korea) and at U.C. Berkeley (Visitng Scholar) as part of my PhD in Digital Entrepreneurship at the University of Mannheim. Since my PhD I have maintained close connections to Mannheim in teaching and research and teach at Mannheim Business School’s MBA program and at EM Strasbourg Business School’s Bachelor and Master of Science programs in the semester breaks. ## Job Market Paper
Isaak, A., Istipliler, B., Bort, S., & Woywode, M. Regulation, Corruption and Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: Insights from Bitcoin Trading and Platform Founding between 2011 and 2023. Organization Science36(6), 2210-2244*(ABS 4*, VHB A+, Utd24)
Published article page ## Selected Highlights - ∼ €48.8k Fit for Funding Fellowship (VHB & Dr. Werner Jackstädt Foundation) for a project on AI and sustainability - Best Paper Award, WU Vienna (2026) - Research Award, WU Vienna (2025) - PhD (Dr. rer. pol., magna cum laude), University of Mannheim - Visiting Scholar, University of California, Berkeley - - Teaching experience in English and German at all levels (BSc, MSc, PhD and executive education) - International teaching experience across Germany, Austria, France, South Korea, Sweden, China, and the UK - Research and reviewing activity spanning entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainability, and information systems - Associate Editor, International Journal of Innovation Science (Wiley) - Editorial Review Board, Information Systems Journal *(ABS 3*, VHB A) ## Research Interests
- Digital Entrepreneurship
- Artificial Intelligence and Decentralized Organizations
- Sustainable Innovation and Circular Economy
- Entrepreneurial Finance, Crowdfunding and ICOS
- Regulation and Legitimacy in Novel Digital Fields ## Contact
Email: isaak@wiwi.uni-wuppertal.de ORCID: 0000-0001-5822-4355
Academic Experience & Affiliations
