Eur J Educ. 2018;427–439. wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ejed | 427 © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd DOI: 10.1111/ejed.12293 ORIGINAL ARTICLE The development of an entrepreneurial mindset in primary education Blaž Zupan 1 | Franc Cankar 2 | Stanka Setnikar Cankar 3 1 Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia 2 National Education Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia 3 Faculty of Administration, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia Correspondence Blaž Zupan, Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, Kardeljeva ploščad 17, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia. Email: blaz.zupan@ef.uni-lj.si Abstract This article provides insights into the design thinking method, a teaching strategy for developing creativity, innovative thinking, and an entrepreneurial mindset in young people as a universally applicable skill. It presents results from a study of 146 seventh- and eighth-grade students, aged 12–14 and 20 teachers across 10 Slovene schools. Teachers used the design thinking method to facilitate hands-on student projects and evaluated their effectiveness in cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset. The two teachers per class submitted a combined final report of their experience and observations. In addition, a study facilitator visited each school several times to discuss the project with the teachers, observe the class, and take notes. Thirteen factors that contributed to students’ entrepreneurial mindset were identified and organized into three clusters: project factors, the learning environment in which it was carried out, and the learning and teaching factors. 1 | INTRODUCTION This article focuses on the development of young people’s “entrepreneurial mindset” which McGrath and MacMillan (2000, p. 32) defined as “the ability to sense, act, and mobilize under uncertain conditions.” In 2012, the European Commission released the report Entrepreneurship Education at School in Europe: National Strategies, Curricula, and Learning Outcomes which outlines strategies to enhance creativity, innovation, and entrepreneur- ship at all levels of education and training in 31 European countries (Bourgeois, 2012). It highlights the Republic of Slovenia’s 2005 Development Strategy (SDS) which states that “the entrepreneurial spirit of young people should be encouraged … [and] training programmes for running small businesses and entrepreneurial knowledge for young