Commentary

A Commentary provides thoughtful and insightful opinions or perspectives on events, policies or situations of interest to business owners, startups, educators, investors and policymakers. These should be short, readable, timely, interesting pieces that address current topics of interest, discussion or dispute.

Length: <1,000 words

Reviewed by Senior Editors


Conflict of Interest Policies Can Stifle Students and Innovation

In the private sector, collaboration between the people who develop and commercialize new technologies is essential to a successful new venture.  But in the college setting, Conflict of Interest Read More...

Category: Commentary

Author: Liz Christenbury

How Do You Know When It's Safe to Quit Your Day Job?

On November 29, Rewire hosted a Facebook Live Q&A entitled, "How Do You Know When It's Safe to Quit Your Day Job?," led by David Deeds, Schulze Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Read More...

Category: Commentary

Author: David Deeds

The Power of 'Wow' to Attract New Customers

  Years ago, millions of consumers discovered something that they never knew they needed: TIVO, which ultimately would change the way they watched television and disrupt an entire industry. That Read More...

Category: Commentary

Author: Eden Blair

Intuition Isn't Enough for Entrepreneurs

  Entrepreneurial legends like Steve Jobs -- who created blockbuster products without asking anyone if they wanted them – anticipated the market. Many other entrepreneurs have great ideas that Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Sharon Alvarez , Kathleen Allen and Lars Oddsson

Talk With Real Customers Before the Launch

  As online crowdsourcing has shown, people will support a proposed business or cause that moves them. For entrepreneurs, the ability to test a proposed product or service's uniqueness and Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Kimberly Eddleston and Dan Holland

Angel Investors versus Venture Capitalists

  Entrepreneurs have several options when they need capital to get a venture going: family and friends, angel investors and venture capitalists.  Growthfire LLC's Eapen Chacko, an advisor Read More...

Category: Commentary

Author: Eapen Chacko

Entrepreneurs Can Benefit Society

  Entrepreneurs play a huge role in society by bringing underappreciated products to market -- products that can help people but that big companies are too busy or disinterested to develop. In Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Daniel Forbes and Eden Blair

Social Entrepreneurship: Doing Well by Doing Good

  Can a socially conscious company be true both to its mission and to its bottom line? If there's conflict, what gets priority? It's a difficult balancing act and missteps can cost customers, Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Ken Harrington , Dave Feldman and Nicholas Vitalari

Empathy is Central to Entrepreneurship

  Successful entrepreneurs not only identify problems that must be solved, but also empathize with the people affected by them. In this discussion, Babson College's Yasu Yamakawa and Brett Smith Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Yasuhiro (Yasu) Yamakawa and Brett Smith

Are Business Plans Really Necessary?

  For a new venture, a business plan is an essential part of attracting investment and ensuring success.  Or is it? In this spirited discussion, reminiscent of "Point/Counterpoint," Eapen Read More...

Category: Commentary

Authors: Eapen Chacko and Brent Goldfarb