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.
Hello there, David Audretsch—what does entrepreneurship have to do with democracy?
What role can entrepreneurship play for democracy? That question has become increasingly important to Professor David Audretsch at Indiana University. Ahead of Esbris’ webinar , Entrepreneurship Beyond Technology: Power, Institutions, and Democracy, we asked him why power, institutions, and democracy have become increasingly important in his research.
BOOK TIPS | When the same innovation doesn’t work everywhere
When Gillette wanted to reach the Indian mass market, the company took an existing two-blade razor, adapted it, and tested the product on Indian students at MIT in the U.S. The tests looked promising. But once in India, the razor didn’t sell well.
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.
When should an entrepreneur reconsider?
Entrepreneurs, just like everyone else, enter new situations with preconceptions about how the world works and what will happen. But they often make decisions amid great uncertainty. Will customers want the product or service? Is the technology feasible to develop? And when are there sufficient reasons to stick with an idea—or to rethink it?
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.
OP-ED: Services Are Sweden’s New Export Industry—Policy Must Keep Pace
The service sector currently accounts for nearly 40 percent of Sweden’s exports. But Sweden is losing ground to several competitor countries. Lars Jagrén and Johannes Nathell are calling for policies that better capitalize on the service sector’s importance for jobs, exports, and growth. The next government must create better conditions for Sweden’s new export industry.
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.
Global transition requires regional innovation policy
Transformative innovation policy has taken on an increasingly prominent role in recent years. The underlying premise is that innovation can contribute not only to technological development and economic growth, but also to changing the way people, organizations, and technology interact to address global challenges.
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.