Entrepreneurs and Inventors
Entrepreneurs are spread across all different domains of life. However if we look closely at the kind of work done by entrepreneurs in the domain of computer science (aka IT), we can see that in most cases the work done by these entrepreneurs be it Gates, Steve Jobs, Sabir Bhatia, Brian and Larry or any of the other people, comes under the class of inventors in someway or the other (Many people might not agree with putting Mr. Gates in category of inventors, but still what Microsoft did with Windows platform was something very unique). So this brings up a really funny question in my mind, “Are techy entrepreneurs, inventors ?”
Few months back I took a chance to find a VC for one of ideas I had in mind. As I was not well versed with economic fundas involved in business so I decided to take a safe way and registered myself with Global Entrepreneurship Network (www.genportal.org). This is one initiative by 7 premiere institutions in India to foster spirit of entrepreneurship among youth of this country. This portal provides means for funding, mentoring and even incubation. Though I was unable to attract any VC for my idea but it did provide me insight into the wonderful world of entrepreneurship. However one unique thing which I saw there was that most of the projects were not the kind like “Setting up a new restaurant or setting up an automobile workshop or things which we can find round the corner. Almost every project listed there was unique in it’s own way and provided solutions in a new and unique way.”
To a very large extent this is true also, as only a new invention can attract masses and if it clicks then money starts to pour in large proportions and VCs are benefited much more than if they had invested in a run of the mill kind of idea. But then what happens to the projects that might have real worth in coming years and the people at present are unable to justify the benefits of such a project ? This is question which still remains unanswered, at least to me.
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March 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
[…] Original post by BharatEntrepreneurs.com […]
March 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi Mayank…this is yet another interesting and thought provoking article. I did not know about genportal.org. I will have to check it out.
Regarding the last question which you had:
Consider wikipedia.com If anybody told me that they will be starting a website which will be written by millions of people, then I would have imagined such a website to be really messed up with full of errors. So, if I was a VC who really valued his money, then I would never fund that. Yet, history tells us that it is one of the most significant achievements of mankind not to mention on of THE most visited sites in the internet landscape. So, I guess it is very difficult to get that right person. We have to fund our own venture or through network of friends in the beginning and then if it picks up then VCs can come in. Otherwise it is very tricky to answer your question.
March 4th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Aaah,
I m a bit busy with my venture going online soon. But I always take sometime off to read posts here. This one is interesting. Gave me a useful tip. That genportal.org was an useful link. I’ll look into it soon.
I have a post thats pending still on my comp. Its about seed-funding. I’ll post it soon. It needs some heavy editing. I just collected raw info. But I found it really interesting. I m waiting to post it soon. (Just let me get my venture running and everything will be heaven for me)