Category: Applied and Practice

Entrepreneurship history is filled with events, places and people who are now legendary or even sacred. In the beginning of the 20th century, New York’s Lower East Side became a place where Jewish Read more

Why Family Businesses Need Both Accountability and Collaboration

Strong family firms hold employees accountable while preserving trust, harmony and flexibility. Combining both approaches can improve employee effort and performance. Family businesses have unique Read more

Entrepreneurs usually understand that profit is important. But many are less consciously aware of the actual model by which they will (or will not) make money in their ventures. Many have a gut feel, Read more

Burn rate and Time-to-Cliff show how quickly cash is disappearing and how much time a venture has before it needs more money. The timing of external funding for a new venture can have dramatic impact Read more

Prestigious VCs can offer networks, referrals, management advice and credibility that founders may value more than a higher valuation alone. New venture capital firms must make a variety of strategic Read more

Diverse teams perform better in competitive markets, while technically focused teams can excel when innovation and cooperation with incumbents matter most. Entrepreneurs who want to turn a great idea Read more

How the Fredo Effect Can Damage a Family Business

The Fredo Effect occurs when an unqualified or disruptive relative keeps a job because of family ties, hurting coworkers, relationships and business performance. The Corleones of "Godfather" fame are Read more

Science parks can certify promising ventures, build missing business capabilities and help governments decide which entrepreneurs deserve support. Unlike the US, most developing countries lack the Read more

What New Entrepreneurs Can Do to Improve Their Chances of Survival

A six-year study found that what founders do after launch may matter more than what they start with, especially routines, commitment and additional investment. More than five decades ago, celebrated Read more

People using early versions of products and technologies can provide valuable evidence about features, demand and potential commercial markets. Seed stage entrepreneurs must grapple with how they Read more