Page 98 - Design Thinking C11
P. 98
Entrepreneurs in Information Technology
IT entrepreneurs are individuals who engage in entrepreneurship within the domain of Information Technology
(IT). The key difference between IT entrepreneurs and technical entrepreneurs lies in their focus areas:
technical entrepreneurs work in sectors such as electronics, mechanical devices, and civil engineering, while
IT entrepreneurs are dedicated exclusively to innovations in the field of Information Technology.
Women Entrepreneurs
As the term implies, women entrepreneurs are those women who start their own businesses. A growing
number of female entrepreneurs are taking the initiative to create their own businesses, and many of them
have made it to the top.
Social Entrepreneurs
Social entrepreneurs are individuals dedicated to developing solutions that address societal challenges. They
actively create, fund, and implement initiatives aimed at improving society, culture, and the environment.
The terms "social innovator" and "social entrepreneur" are often used interchangeably to describe these
changemakers.
Entrepreneurs from a Family Business
A family business entrepreneur is someone who manages and operates a business that has been successfully
passed down through generations. Unlike a first-generation entrepreneur, this individual inherits the business
and continues its operations, either maintaining the traditional methods or introducing technological
advancements to improve the existing processes and approach of the family enterprise.
Entrepreneurs of the First Generation
First generation entrepreneurs are persons who have no prior business experience. They can come from a
variety of ages and backgrounds. A person who starts at the age of 50 without any entrepreneurship history
is also a first-generation entrepreneur, as is someone who starts at the age of 17.
Functions of an Entrepreneur
The following are some of the essential functions that an entrepreneur must accomplish:
• Identifying business opportunities: The world of business presents countless opportunities, rooted in
fundamental human needs such as food, fashion, education, and more. The general population is
unaware of these opportunities. However, an entrepreneur detects opportunities faster than others. As a
result, the entrepreneur must have his or her eyes and ears open at all times. To become an entrepreneur,
one must have vision, creativity, and innovativeness.
• Putting ideas into action: Entrepreneurs must be able to put their
ideas into action. To effectively meet market demands, it is essential
to gather comprehensive information on ideas, products, and
processes.
• Feasibility study: Entrepreneurs undertake feasibility studies to
determine the commercial viability of a new product or service.
They anticipate problems and evaluate the number, quality, pricing,
and sources of inputs needed to run the business. A 'business plan'
or 'project report' is a roadmap of all actions.
• Resourcing: To establish a successful business, an entrepreneur
requires a variety of resources such as money, machinery, raw
materials, and labour. An entrepreneur's primary responsibility is to
secure the timely availability of all these resources.
Design Thinking and Innovation XII
96

