Chapter 10: Types of Ventures

The appropriate legal and organizational format used to establish a new venture will vary according to several factors such as context, people, legal and tax consequences, and cultural and social norms. In this chapter, we consider the various organizational and legal forms that entrepreneurs use to achieve their objectives. New ventures can range from small businesses or consulting services to high-growth, high-impact enterprises. When entrepreneurs establish a new enterprise, they must make some critical decisions about these matters.

An important contrast to independent ventures is the corporate new venture. It emerges within larger existing enterprises and is granted autonomy so it can fulfill its promise. Corporate new ventures are an important part of the entrepreneurial world and account for many new innovations. Often constrained by existing commitments and capabilities, corporations can fail to respond to significant new opportunities. Well-planned corporate ventures, however, help refresh and strengthen large corporations.

1. “Extreme Users Are the Experts” with Michael Tubbs, Mayor, City of Stockton

2. “Deep Thought About Values” with Stewart Butterfield, Slack

3. “Big Opportunities Draw Big Talent” with Jennifer Pahlka, Code for America

Continue to Chapter 11

Tom Byers, Stanford University

Tom Byers is a Professor in the Department of Management Science & Engineering at Stanford University and a faculty director of the Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP).

Andrew Nelson, University of Oregon

Andrew Nelson is Associate Vice President for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an Associate Professor of Management at the University of Oregon.

Richard Dorf, University of California, Davis

Richard C. Dorf is a Professor Emeritus of Management and Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Davis.