Some entrepreneurs don't resolve uncertainty—they amplify and monetize it. Our research reveals how conspiracy entrepreneurs build profitable businesses by exploiting public confusion and manufacturing doubt.
Passion isn’t just fuel—it’s a filter for startup equity decisions. Depending on whether entrepreneurs are passionate about inventing or founding, they value different co-founder attributes and distribute equity accordingly, shaping the startup’s trajectory from its first deal.
To act in an uncertain world, entrepreneurs must have faith that their beliefs are correct, but to act well, they often question them. New research suggests that figuring out if doubt serves entrepreneurs or thwarts them may come down to the business context.
Saying no to new opportunities can be a painful decision for entrepreneurs. Certain simple rules can make this easy and make the startup more flexible
In uncertain environments, poor decisions can kill even the best ventures – yet few entrepreneurs are trained to manage uncertainty in a systematic way. Self-Regulated Entrepreneurial Learning (SREL) is a science-based method to navigate complexity, adapt quickly, and make better decisions.
Social media entrepreneurs aren’t just selling products—they are the product. With every selfie, skincare routine, and “get ready with me,” they’re not just running a venture—they’re building an empire out of themselves. But when your face is the logo and your life is the pitch… how do you build authenticity—and keep it real?
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Entrepreneurs often fail—but we know little about how they experience failure as it happens. For founders navigating this emotionally complex journey, it raises questions about how and when they decide to let go and what support they truly need.
Entry into entrepreneurship is rarely a clean break. For hybrid entrepreneurs (those building a business while holding a traditional job), the transition to full-time entrepreneurship is shaped not just by confidence in their venture, but also by the weight of workplace stressors. When traditional work becomes toxic, having an escape plan becomes more than optional, it becomes essential.
Why do some places attract more startups than others although they have similar resources? New research finds that political ideology plays a hidden but powerful role in shaping the cultural climate that fosters entrepreneurship.
“Fail fast” may be the startup world’s mantra, with advisors, investors, and accelerators preaching timely exits — but in practice, they often apply pressure to continue, send distorted signals about success, and foster a culture that glorifies perseverance. These mixed messages give rise to zombie startups: ventures no longer viable but still staggering on, distorting success metrics and draining resources.
Many entrepreneurs in places where entrepreneurship is a necessity, learn to build businesses through outside experts. While confidence and learning can happen fast, too many promising businesses are ignited by big dreams but not enough staying power. Here is what we learned across seven municipalities in Benin, a country in West Africa.
What is the key to successful crowdfunding for enterprises driven by a social mission instead of high profitability? Successful campaigns tailor the message to the solution and evoke resonance with the audience.
Entrepreneurs who stay emotionally engaged during virtual pitches are more likely to get funded. In person, it’s emotional containment that earns investors’ trust.
Entrepreneurs, especially the senior, can navigate skepticism, defensiveness, and deeply ingrained ageism bias by maintaining a composure-focused style in communicating with venture capitalists and angel investors.
Entrepreneurs, especially the senior, can navigate skepticism, defensiveness, and deeply ingrained ageism bias by maintaining a composure-focused style in communicating with venture capitalists and angel investors.
“When a company has achieved a modicum of success—just enough to stay alive—but is not living up to the expectations of its founders and investors. Such companies are a terrible drain of human energy; out of loyalty, the employees and founders don’t want to give in; they feel that success might be just around the corner” —Eric Ries, The Lean Startup
Proactive and intentional participation in leisure activities will help entrepreneurs in uncovering unexpected opportunities relevant to their business. Though hustle and working long hours are glorified, taking time off pays well, and it is time we start leveraging leisure.
You don’t need a patent to be an academic entrepreneur, thinking like a researcher can be just as powerful. Academic startups succeed in different ways, and understanding their roots helps us better support how they innovate and grow.
From AI to automation, digital tools are reshaping social innovation - but tech alone won’t solve poverty, healthcare, or education. Our research reveals four models that blend digital tools with human engagement to create real, lasting impact.
This project explores whether independent venture capital (IVC) helps U.S. startups innovate by shaping post-investment hiring. If IVCs enable smarter hiring, they may offer strategic value beyond funding—helping startups succeed and guiding investor strategy.
Just like in a marriage, the relationship with your co-founder is the foundation for a long-term successful venture. Our advice: Make the most of the co-founder dating phase!
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Financing is the lifeblood of any new venture. As we consider efforts to acquire funding, we look beyond the individual entrepreneur to the entrepreneurial team. A well-educated team is a capable team, while an effective team is greater than the sum of its parts. Does higher average team education result in greater funding success, and does education diversity provide better results? As we examine team education, we recall traditional gender bias in entrepreneurship. How does team education along with gender make-up affect financing?
Mentors play a key role for entrepreneurs. But the way they deliver advice, whether abstract or concrete, often shifts based on both their own and the entrepreneur’s gender, shaping the confidence, motivation and future success of the entrepreneurs.
The popular image of the solo-founder who takes on the world is misleading and detrimental to entrepreneurial success. I conducted more than 70 interviews with entrepreneurs in startup accelerator programs in North America and Europe from 2021 to 2024, and my first piece of advice to any founder is: Find your people, find your way!
Accurate perception of cofounder empathy can boost productivity. However, positive illusions developed via a slight overestimation turn out to be even more beneficial.