Publications

2006
Working Paper

Skill vs. Luck in Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital: Evidence from Serial Entrepreneurs

By: Paul A. Gompers, Anna Kovner, Josh Lerner and David S. Scharfstein

This paper argues that a large component of success in entrepreneurship and venture capital can be attributed to skill. We show that entrepreneurs with a track record of success are more likely to succeed than first time entrepreneurs and those who have previously... View Details

Keywords: Return On Investment; Entrepreneurship; Venture Capital; Success; Experience and Expertise

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1999
Chapter

The Financial Perspective: What Should Entrepreneurs Know?

By: William A. Sahlman

Keywords: Entrepreneurship; Corporate Finance

31 Aug 2016
Research & Ideas

One Quarter of Entrepreneurs in the United States Are Immigrants

Debates over the pluses and minuses of immigrant entrepreneurs on the American economy are white hot, but one thing seems stubbornly lacking from them: facts. The arguments are familiar by now. Immigrants take jobs from native-born... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

Article

Will the Real Entrepreneur Please Stand up?

By: Amar Bhidé

Find at Harvard

August 12, 2014
Blog Post

Internal Entrepreneurs Don't Have to Be Lonely

By: Leonard A. Schlesinger and Charlie Kiefer

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August 2012
Teaching Note

Sound Group China: Urban Waste Entrepreneurs (TN)

By: John D. Macomber and Phillip Andrews

November 1992
Case

Primerica: Sandy Weill and His Corporate Entrepreneurs

By: Andrall E. Pearson and Philip M. Rosenzweig

As CEO of Primerica, Sandy Weill has built a $6.6 billion company from acquisitions and underperforming firms. The case examines Weill's distinctive approach to building, managing, and leading an organization that seeks the benefits of scale without the problems of... View Details

Keywords: Management Style; Business or Company Management; Acquisition

09 Mar 2015
Research & Ideas

Why Entrepreneurs Should Go Work for Government

rather than inventors and builders” Once chief of staff to the late Boston mayor Thomas Menino, Weiss isn't just engaging in wishful thinking. He's seen firsthand how entrepreneurs within government can cut through red tape. Weiss... View Details

Keywords: by Michael Blanding

June 2021
Teaching Note

Experiencya Cuba: Two Entrepreneurs in Havana

By: Charles F. Wu and Sean Bracken

Teaching Note for HBS Case No. 220-024. View Details

October 1999 (Revised March 2000)
Background Note

Venture Capital Negotiations: VC versus Entrepreneur

By: Robert J. Robinson and Noam T. Wasserman

Introduces students to the challenging negotiations between venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. Explores interests, sources of negotiating power, barriers to reaching agreement, and common contractual terms. Describes how the parties try to reduce information... View Details

Keywords: Negotiation Tactics; Venture Capital; Entrepreneurship; Financial Services Industry

July 14, 2014
Blog Post

Act Like an Entrepreneur Inside Your Organization

By: Charlie Kiefer and Leonard A. Schlesinger

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10 Jan 2023
Op-Ed

Time to Move On? Career Advice for Entrepreneurs Preparing for the Next Stage

Over the past year, I have watched several firms going through periods of transition. Some have been cofounders who realized that it was time for a more experienced leader to take their business to the next level. Some were just ready for something new. Others have... View Details

Keywords: by Julia Austin

2016
Working Paper

Immigrant Entrepreneurs and the Social Safety Net

By: Gareth Olds

This paper explores the role of public health insurance in small business ownership among immigrants, a group with high rates of entrepreneurship. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 created a five-year “waiting period” for legal... View Details

Keywords: Insurance; Entrepreneurship; Welfare or Wellbeing; Immigration

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June 2009 (Revised July 2009)
Case

Mrs. Ebtissam Algosaibi: An Entrepreneur in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Mrs. Ebtissam Algosaibi has created the leading high end jewelry company in the Middle East, Erum Jewelry, based in her home town of Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia. She believes Erum has the potential to be a world player similar to Cartier and Chopard. How should she expand... View Details

Keywords: Gender Characteristics; Entrepreneurship; Global Strategy; Problems and Challenges; Opportunities; Expansion; Apparel and Accessories Industry; Al-Khubar; Middle East