Seminars topic: Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are increasingly vital to entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial financing, yet little is known about whether, how, and when the interactions between entrepreneurs and investors on social media lead to formal investment relationships. Our study examines the role of interpersonal chemistry in entrepreneur–investor dyads on social media, proposing that chemistry increases the likelihood of forming investment relationships, especially for disadvantaged entrepreneurs who are geographically distant or socially distant (e.g., gender or racial minorities). Using a panel dataset of 20,453,870 tweets from 7,255 entrepreneurs and 3,251 investors (2008–2023), our findings advance a conjoint agency perspective, emphasizing the importance of dyad-level dynamic interactions for relationship building. This perspective highlights a psychology-driven pathway to reducing structural biases and fostering inclusive entrepreneurial financing.

Scholars Background: Dr. Amy Ou is an Associate Professor at Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Management and Marketing. She holds editorial roles at Journal of Management, Management and Organization Review, and Organization Science. With a PhD from Arizona State University, her research focuses on strategic leadership (CEO humility), organizational culture, women’s leadership, and cross-cultural management. Her work appears in top journals like Administrative Science Quarterly and Academy of Management Journal. Awarded the Alvah H. Chapman Jr. Outstanding Dissertation Award and best paper prizes, her CEO humility research has been featured in Forbes China, USA Today, and The Business Times.

Time and Location: May 29, 2025, 10:00–11:30, SOM A723, Zhejiang University School of Management. Host: Qiongjing Hu.

Language: Bilingual (ENG & CN)