My last
post triggered some interesting debates in the blogosphere about
whether entrepreneurs were a product of nature or could be nurtured.
It’s not black or white. People are a product of their upbringing and
education. Average humans can achieve extraordinary feats when they
really try. I’ll concede that, like some great athletes, some great
entrepreneurs may have something different about them that gives them a
special advantage (this is a topic that I am presently researching). But
not every entrepreneur needs to reap the same fortune as Bill Gates or
Mark Zuckerberg to qualify as a success. You can build a good lifestyle
business that pays the bills, or that does good for the world, and be
considered a successful entrepreneur. (And you’ll probably be happier
and gain more respect than most billionaires do.) Entrepreneurship isn’t
all about the IPO.
I hold steadfast to my belief — based on my experience in building two great technology companies and in mentoring around 200 entrepreneurs over some years and on what I’ve learned from my academic research into the background and motivations of entrepreneurs — that entrepreneurs can be made. People born into entrepreneurial families may have the advantage of knowing the ups and downs of business, and, all else being equal, people from entrepreneurial families are certainly more likely to become entrepreneurs than others are. But the skills required to build, manage, and grow a business can be learned, and this education can level the playing field. VCs who judge entrepreneurs based on age, sex, ethnicity, or family background are doing their limited partners, and society, a great disservice.
To read the full, original article click on this link: Replicators, Innovators, and Bill Gates
Author: Vivek Wadhwa
