Research-based entrepreneurship is a crucial innovation driver. This contribution highlights how academic entrepreneurship can be encouraged by role models, social norms and expected support within an academic ecosystem. The study draws on the “entrepreneurial university” (EU), as well as on the “theory of planned behaviour” (PBC), according to which social norms, attitudes towards entrepreneurship (EA), perceived behavioural control (PBC) and self-efficacy (ESE) are key determinants for entrepreneurial intentions. According to the EU, especially in university ecosystems, career role models, positive social norms (referring to colleagues and supervisors) regarding entrepreneurial activities and perceived support are critical factors to promote entrepreneurial activities. We will analyze to what extent these three social components (also as moderators) affect entrepreneurial intentions via PBC, ESE and EA, by referring to gender effects for these interactions. Methodology: We tailored a survey to determine the relationship between social norms, -support and role models on EI by using validated scales for academic researchers (N= 7500) at seven Swiss universities of applied sciences in January 2019. Moreover, we will supplement the results with 20 interviews with potential founders of these universities. For testing the hypotheses, we conduct a Bayesian structural equation model (SEM) in Blavaan, using JAGS in R+. Results: emphasise the importance of visibility of role models, social norms and social support for entrepreneurial activities at universities. Gender-specific strategies for creating a federal entrepreneurial climate will become evident. Limitations: Low response rate, lack of longitudinal data relate to spin-off promotion.Practical Implications: Results enable targeted and gender-specific spin-off promotion in academic ecosystems.