Abstract: The chosen topic is quite relevant, because the perspective of business ecosystems can also give an idea of new empirical issues related to the study of strengths and values of ecosystems and organizations that support its development, and the role of third-level actors that complement the ecosystem. The construction of the identity of the business ecosystem can serve as a solution to the dynamic nature of its boundaries, allowing a more accurate perception of the entire ecosystem. The article aims to define business ecosystems and highlight their features. Although much research has been done on business ecosystems, there are still many important issues that need to be addressed: among them is the definition of business ecosystems and their features. The main material of the study was the work of domestic and foreign scientists dedicated to understanding the metaphor of «business ecosystem». Because this metaphor is based on comparisons with biological ecosystems, the method of intersectoral analogies was used. In order to define the term «business ecosystem», semantic analysis of scientific research was used. The main approaches to the definition of «business ecosystem» are studied and it is noted that the business ecosystem is an interdependent structure consisting of a central organization (firm, business unit or structural unit) and its environment, the links between them and the created synergistic effect. The conceptual model of the business ecosystem, which consists of four different layers, namely: leaders, contributors, users and the environment, is studied. Based on the analysis, we can conclude that currently the formation of its own business ecosystem within the organization can be considered as a separate stage of its life cycle. This approach will allow the management to take a qualitative approach to planning this process and avoid the stage of «fading» for years to come. The conceptual model opens the way to the study of each of the components of the business ecosystem and, finally, the introduction of a comprehensive theoretical framework that can expand the application of business ecosystems.