The legacy of the Gold Rush is still evident in entrepreneurship today
The Gold Rush in 19th-century America drew hundreds of thousands of people westward in hopes of finding gold. But it may also have left a much more lasting impact. A new study shows that areas shaped by the Gold Rush have generally had higher levels of entrepreneurship than comparable areas for more than a century.
Incubators help ideas grow—but not always the companies
Incubators are supposed to help young companies grow, survive, and create jobs. At least, that’s the common perception. But when researchers conduct a comprehensive review of previous studies, a more nuanced picture emerges: the clearest strength of incubators isn’t survival—it’s innovation.
For entrepreneurs, the right jury may be more important than the prize money
Winning a startup competition isn’t just about the prize money. A new study shows that the right jury can give the winner a seal of approval that means more—and lasts longer—than the prize itself. For other companies, however, it’s the money that makes the biggest difference—at least in the short term.
ADHD can provide a boost when starting a business—but become a burden later on
ADHD is not necessarily a superpower for entrepreneurs. Hyperactivity and impulsivity are linked to a greater tendency to start businesses—while attention problems can, above all, cause problems once the business is up and running. This is shown by a new review of the research on ADHD and entrepreneurship.
First the idea—then the founder
The story of entrepreneurship is often described as that of a person with an idea. The founder identifies a problem, comes up with a solution, assembles a team, and together they build the company. But a new study shows that there are alternative paths.
Hey there, Johan Wiklund—is ADHD really a superpower for entrepreneurs?
ADHD is often touted as a superpower in entrepreneurship. But is that really true? Ahead of the webinar “ADHD and Entrepreneurship: Superpower, Risk, or the Right Fit?” we asked Johan Wiklund, a professor of entrepreneurship, a few questions. For the past 15 years, he has been conducting research on ADHD, neurodiversity, well-being, and entrepreneurship.
Mentors help small business owners better understand financing—but not everyone benefits equally
Mentors can help small business owners gain a better understanding of financing. A new study shows that entrepreneurs with mentors are more likely to be aware of both public and private financing initiatives. However, the study also shows that the benefits of mentoring vary among different groups.
When big innovation promises crash, both the technology and the promise to customers must change
Radical innovations are often associated with great promises to customers and investors. But what happens after a public and deadly failure that shatters both technology and trust? A new study examines the Virgin Galactic spacecraft crash. The researchers show that the company needed to both make the technology safer and reframe what they promised the market.
How to make entrepreneurship education more gender equal
Women are still heavily underrepresented in entrepreneurship education worldwide – despite efforts to promote diversity. A new international study reveals the hidden barriers in current programs and presents concrete steps for more inclusive education.
Don’t protect everything: how start-ups should think about IP
All start-ups have intangible assets: technology, data, designs, customer knowledge, contracts and brands. In her thesis, Sarah van Santen shows that the question is not only what to protect. Equally important is knowing what can be shared, with whom, when and how.