Although current research highlights the importance of prior exposure to entrepreneurial role models in the decision to start and pursue entrepreneurial careers, the mechanism through which role models strengthen entrepreneurial intentions has not been fully understood. Against this background, the current paper investigates the influence of role models, entrepreneurial attitudes and entrepreneurial self-efficacies using a sample of 423 University students in Poland. Through a novel fuzzy-set analysis method, three distinct combinations of the variables under study are found to be most effective for strengthening entrepreneurial intention among university students. By implication, these findings task entrepreneurship educators to concurrently foster the three dimensions in the process of nurturing entrepreneurial careers within their student body. •Multiple paths lead to entrepreneurial intentions.•Positive attitudes towards entrepreneurship necessary for high entrepreneurial intention.•Absence of role models leads to low entrepreneurial intention.•The interplay of roles models, attitudes and ESE increases intentions the most.