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In emerging economies, • Individual micro-processes enhance university-industry collaboration. • University-industry collaboration generates high societal impacts. • University-industry collaboration occurs in a low subjective norm context. • University-industry collaboration provokes social entrepreneurial initiatives. • University-industry joint undertakings play a key role in fragile innovation systems. University-Industry collaboration (UIC) literature is largely documented with Western European or North-American evidence, where universities are rich in resources and have well-developed R&D infrastructure. Likewise, our knowledge remains limited about UIC in emerging countries, where research resources and R&D are scarce. In this article, we address the research question "What are the individual micro-processes involved in UICs with social impact in emerging economies" and argue that uncovering the individual micro-processes involved in university-industry joint undertakings contribute to understanding how entrepreneurial universities promote social impact in emerging economies. The ideas presented in this paper are based on exploratory qualitative research consisting of 33 semi-structured interviews, eight focus groups, and six participatory observations in Bolivia and Colombia. Our findings suggest that UICs in emerging economies are driven by the need to solve major social challenges and are often a consequence of the individual micro-processes of low subjective norm, pro-social behavior, deontic justice, social identity, entrepreneurial culture, and championing of social welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• NTBFs collaborate with triple helix agents to capture different types of knowledge required in early internationalisation • NTBFs which collaborate with universities trigger a positive shift in their attitude towards an early internationalisation • NTBFs which collaborate with government agents build useful networks that provide resources in early internationalisation • The government uses triple helix agents as intermediaries to promote entrepreneurial innovations to reduce institutional voids Firms' early internationalisation (EI) is a complex process derived from uncertain market conditions, entrepreneurial vision, and strategic entry decisions. Academic debates still require deepening and broadening the discussion on early internationalisation of new technology-based firms (NTBFs). This study proposes a framework to analyse how NTBFs are adopting collaborative networks with the triple helix actors (government, university, and industry) to implement an EI strategy in emerging economies. Our findings show that the lack of specialised knowledge and resources stimulates collaboration with multiple triple helix agents to ensure the early entry strategy into international markets. We state the relevant implications and propositions concerning the internationalisation of NTBFs and the relationship with triple helix stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]