Babson graduates who choose to focus their career on entrepreneurship usually do one of the following:

• Start a business or non-profit organization
• Work for a start-up
• Buy a business
• Join a family business
• Work for a venture capital/private equity firm
• Work for a division of a corporation that is focused on growth and innovation

If you see yourself as an entrepreneur or would like to help an entrepreneur implement his/her vision, we recommend that you:

• Choose a specialization based on your goals:
  • New venture creation
  • Entrepreneurial finance
  • Social entrepreneurship
  • Corporate entrepreneurship
  • Family business
• Build your network!
  • If you are planning to start or own a business, you will need to find investors, partners and advisors.
  • For those who want to work at a start-up, you will have to seek out members of the management team.  They are often looking for new members, and do so through word-of-mouth and recommendations. Because fit with the team is crucial, they will want to get to know you. You may need to offer to work initially on a project basis.
  • If you see yourself working in the world of venture capital, networking is likely to be the only way you’ll find out about jobs and get interviews.   Be aware that VC is an extremely competitive field. 
• Get hands-on start-up/small business experience through class projects, MCFEs and internships. Employers will want to know that you can handle the uncertainty and other unique challenges that small and growing businesses face.
• Make sure that you have relevant experience in your chosen industry. Small companies do not have the time or the resources to give you industry training. You must already bring some expertise to the table! If you’re changing industries, plan how you will use your time at Babson to get the experience you need.
• For prospective VCs, expertise in the industry where your target firm focuses its investments is required.