Update: Are Entrepreneurs Born or Bred

Last month, I posted about a study regarding whether or not entrepreneurs are born or bred. Well, the results are in, and apparently most of us think we are born to be entrepreneurs (although I still think that I was bred). From the press release:

According to a new national survey conducted by Northeastern University’s School of Technological Entrepreneurship (STE), sixty-two percent of entrepreneurs in the U.S. claim “innate drive” is the number one motivator in starting their own venture.

The survey, comprised of more than 200 U.S. based entrepreneurs, was designed to help answer the long-debated question of whether entrepreneurs are born, or bred through work experiences, education or other factors. The survey is the first to ask entrepreneurs to assess how their own experiences and attributes have contributed to their success.

Of note, only one percent of entrepreneurs surveyed identify “higher education” as the primary motivator for starting a business. Other motivators given were work experience (21 percent) and the success of entrepreneurial peers within the industry (16 percent).

The survey also provides a profile of the characteristics common to today’s entrepreneurs. Most entrepreneurs surveyed (62 percent) claim they do not have a family member that is an entrepreneur. However, the results identify family members as the biggest inspiration in their life (37 percent). Many entrepreneurs (42 percent) launched their first venture during childhood, through a lemonade stand or paper route. While a majority of today’s entrepreneurs consider themselves to be risk takers (88 percent), 44 percent of these entrepreneurs claim they are somewhat cautious when faced with major decisions.

Neat stuff...maybe Northeastern can help breed more entrepreneurs :)