This study examines the dual role of opportunity recognition as both a mediator and moderator in the relationship between social networks and knowledge acquisition among entrepreneurs. The research focuses on understanding how opportunity recognition influences the acquisition of tacit and explicit knowledge through social networks. The study was conducted with business students from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) engaged in both academic and entrepreneurial activities, offering insights for entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers aiming to enhance entrepreneurial success through effective network utilization. A quantitative approach was employed, gathering 169 valid responses from 210 distributed surveys to UANL business students. The survey consisted of 47 items across four constructs: Opportunity Recognition (10 items), Social Networks (18 items), Tacit Knowledge (9 items), and Explicit Knowledge (10 items), using a 5-point Likert scale. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) were applied to test the mediating and moderating roles of opportunity recognition between social networks and knowledge acquisition. The results indicate that social networks have a positive impact on opportunity recognition, which subsequently enhances both tacit and explicit knowledge acquisition. Moreover, opportunity recognition moderates the relationship between social networks and knowledge acquisition, amplifying the effects of social networks on both knowledge types. These findings highlight the importance of opportunity recognition in maximizing the benefits of social networks for entrepreneurial knowledge acquisition. This study contributes to literature by integrating social capital theory, the resource-based view, and dynamic capabilities to offer a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of opportunity recognition in entrepreneurial knowledge acquisition. The findings provide practical insights for entrepreneurs on how to leverage their networks more effectively for knowledge acquisition and opportunity exploitation, offering valuable guidance for educators and policymakers in fostering entrepreneurial success.