The Grand Tour: The role of catalysing places for industry inception

Despite the critical role of the pre-commercialization phase, little is known about industry-level dynamics where focal areas nurture user entrepreneurship and ultimately industry inception. By conducting an historical case study on the emergence of the global sport climbing industry through the RockMaster event in Arco (Italy), this study examines an under-theorized type of phenomenon, the “catalyzing places”—iconic venues which trigger and sustain processes for industry inception and emergence. We show how these places can potentially exert, over communities of practice on a global scale, three distinctive types of forces—centripetal, catalyzing, and centrifugal—and originate cyclical processes which foster industries through the establishment of new entrepreneurial ventures, products, technologies, and practices. We discuss the implications for theory and practice on industry inception, spaces, and user entrepreneurship.