Entrepreneurial ecosystems in the Russian regions

The article explains the uneven development of small and medium enterprises in Russia within the framework of the ‘entrepreneurial ecosystems’ concept. A corresponding typology of the Russian regions was carried out according to the proposed model. The most developed ecosystems with highdensity and sectoral diversity of SMEs are formed in regions with access to large consumer markets, capital, and low risks for investors. The least developed SMEs sector is in areas with high costs of doing business: the North Caucasus, the Far East and the Arctic zone, which requires special measures of state policy. The level of development of ecosystems determines their ability to withstand external shocks. The effect of the FIFA World Cup is positive in the hosting regions and in its neighbors. Based on the typology, we proposed differentiated support measures.