Objective: to explain how affective networks support cultural entrepreneurship. Theoretical approach: theories of cultural entrepreneurship and affective networks, pointing out the relevance of networks and affectivity in this context. Method: a multi-sited ethnography was conducted in popular food markets, using ethnographic interviews, participant observation, documents, and visual and audiovisual records. Result: explaining cultural innovation, how affective networks support that process, and how the networks’ affectivity inspires the singularities of cultural entrepreneurship. Conclusions: the results contribute to advancing research on (a) cultural entrepreneurship as affective networks, (b) affectivity in entrepreneurship, and (c) cultural entrepreneurship as affective networks.