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Balagopal Vissa

Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise

Biography

Bala Vissa is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise at INSEAD. His research examines the people side of entrepreneurship, particularly in emerging economies contexts. This includes topics such as the structuring of venture teams and entrepreneurial networks, the links between successful entrepreneurial exit and philanthropy & social impact, the impact of growth training on entrepreneurial success and more broadly the impact of entrepreneurial leadership on de novo new ventures as well as family businesses. He is an invited speaker and advises entrepreneurial companies and professional investors on these topics.

Prof. Vissa has received numerous research awards and currently serves as Associate Editor at the Strategic Management Journal; in addition, he previously served as Associate Editor at the Academy of Management Journal. He also served as elected Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship & Strategy interest group of the Strategic Management Society.

He teaches topics related to entrepreneurial leadership, corporate venturing, transitions in family businesses and scaling up new ventures - in degree programs as well as in executive training programs, using a variety of approaches including simulations and case-based learning. Currently he is directing INSEAD Leadership Programme for Senior Executives - India and numerous client-specific programs (CSPs).

Prior to finishing his doctoral studies at London Business School, Prof. Vissa was involved in setting up and growing new businesses in different specialty chemical niches for Unilever in India.

Latest posts

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Career

What Good Could Come After Financial Success?

B. Vissa, L. K. Hans

All of society would benefit if successful entrepreneurs used their skills to promote positive social change.
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Entrepreneurship

A Foot in the Door: Strategies to Connect With Investors

Balagopal Vissa

Even modestly connected entrepreneurs are six times more likely to succeed in accessing early-stage investors – if they push the right buttons.

Family Business

When Nepotism Pads CEO Pay: Evidence From Indian Family Firms

Balagopal Vissa

Poor corporate governance in emerging economies allows some publicly listed family firms to use CEO pay to exploit corporate resources at the expense of minority shareholders.

Entrepreneurship

How Start-ups in Emerging Markets Succeed Despite Scarcity

Balagopal Vissa

When the going gets tough, bring on improvisation and learning.

Entrepreneurship

Are Venture Capitalists Hopelessly Biased, or Deceptively Rational?

Bala Vissa & Kim Claes

Close scrutiny of VC deal terms in India reveals a nuanced pattern of objectivity and discrimination.

Entrepreneurship

SCALE: A Growth Toolkit for Mature Market Start-Ups

How a new programme increased start-ups’ chance of success.