Chapter 10. Entrepreneurs in the Technological Ecosystem

Jeff Lawrence and Larry Bock

There are thousands of people with ideas. There are thousands of people who can lead and manage. There are thousands of people who can get things done. There are far fewer people with the unique combination of these qualities that can be labeled as entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs aren't satisfied when they can see a vision and express it; they will be satisfied only when that vision becomes real. Entrepreneurs exist in all areas and at all scales of human endeavora local business on a street corner, a large technology business spread across the world, or an organization trying to bring about social, political, or economic change. Entrepreneurs become possessed by their vision and will persevere in developing, refining, and spreading that vision until it has changed the world in some way, large or small.

There are many theories, stories, and how-to descriptions of entrepreneurship. This chapter briefly discusses a framework for thinking about entrepreneurship, the role of entrepreneurs, who they are, what they do, what they can expect, and why they do what they do.