A portfolio perspective on entrepreneurship and economic development

Because the large majority of new ventures remain small, their economic contribution is questioned. Shane (Small Bus Econ 33(2):141–149, 2009) has argued that designing public policies which encourage more people to become entrepreneurs is counterproductive, and the exclusive focus should be high-growth ventures, or gazelles. As a counter to Shane’s position, four types of start-up ventures are considered, with each having differing needs and...