This comprehensive textbook provides a fundamental framework for understanding the theory,
process, and practice of entrepreneurship. It captures the concepts and insights that would equip
aspiring and practicing entrepreneurs with the necessary expertise for starting and running their
ventures. The author has consciously attempted to strike a balance between theory and practice
while keeping a concise and lucid approach. It assumes no prior knowledge at the reader’s end and
caters to Management and Engineering streams alike. This book includes more than 100 real-life
examples of start-ups from India. It discusses all aspects of launching a venture—including, but not
limited to, idea generation, market validation, team building, fund-raising, product marketing, and
customer outreach and engagement, acquiring/ polishing overall entrepreneurial skills. This
textbook will be useful to MBA students, participants of executive courses/workshops, practicing
managers, and readers interested in entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial skill-building.
Follows easy-to-follow, step-by-step guidance to the entrepreneurial process
Learning-by-doing approach with case study analyses and reflective exercises
Integrates latest examples, research, and practice from the Indian industry
Useful for students, managers, and business persons; workshop participants, management
courses, and training programmes; MBA, agri-business, and
engineering/manufacturing/defense alike
Introduction
1. Are You an Entrepreneur?
2. What Is Your Idea?
3. What Is Your Strategy?
4. Managing Team Members
5. Raising and Managing Finances
6. Managing Customers
7. Managing Operations and Legalities
8. Managing Growth
9. Managing Self and Well-being
10. Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in India
Annexures
Stories of Real-life Entrepreneurs
The Evolution of Indian Unicorns
Index
Safal Batra is Associate Professor in the areas of strategic management and entrepreneurship at IIM
Kashipur. He holds Master’s degree from IIM Calcutta and PhD from IIM Ahmedabad. His
dissertation, Exploring Innovation in Small Businesses, was conferred the IFCI Best Thesis Award at
IIM Ahmedabad. He has completed a faculty development programme at Wharton School, University
of Pennsylvania, and was a visiting fellow at the National Taiwan University of Science and
Technology. Prof. Batra teaches core courses in entrepreneurship and strategic management in full-time
MBA, executive MBA, and PhD programmes. He has designed and delivered several MDPs on
strategic leadership and management for working executives and entrepreneurs. Dr Batra is also MD,
Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development—the entrepreneurship incubation centre at
IIM Kashipur. His research interests include entrepreneurial personality and cognition, performance of
small businesses, and family business management. His research work has been published in some of
the top journals of entrepreneurship and management, including International Small Business Journal,
Small Business Economics, Journal of Knowledge Management, Australian Journal of Management,
and Journal of Entrepreneurship.
