Miguel Virgen, PhD Student in Business

Social enterprises occupy a distinctive place in the modern economy because they are designed to produce more than financial returns. Unlike traditional businesses that concentrate primarily on profit maximization, social enterprises blend commercial activity with social mission. Their purpose is not only to sell products or services but also to address social, economic, environmental, or cultural problems. As the field has expanded, it has become increasingly clear that social enterprises...

The venture capital industry has long been viewed as one of the driving forces behind innovation and economic expansion in the United States. From Silicon Valley technology giants to healthcare breakthroughs and fintech startups, venture capital has fueled the growth of companies that transformed industries and reshaped consumer behavior. For decades, the American venture capital ecosystem represented opportunity, rapid expansion, and wealth creation on a global scale. However, despite its...

Conversations with venture capitalists are often more than simple business meetings. They are high-stakes exchanges in which entrepreneurs attempt to persuade investors that their ideas, teams, and markets are worthy of support. For venture capitalists, these discussions are not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. They are about interpretation, judgment, trust, and perception. In many cases, the decision to invest is shaped as much by how a founder is perceived as by the raw financial...