William Sahlman

William A. Sahlman is a prominent American academic and expert in entrepreneurship. He is a Professor Emeritus at Harvard Business School, where he has had a long and distinguished career.12

Academic Background

Sahlman received his education from prestigious institutions:

• AB in Economics from Princeton University (1972)
• MBA from Harvard Business School (1975)
• PhD in Business Economics from Harvard University (1982)12

Career at Harvard Business School

Sahlman began teaching at Harvard Business School in 1980 and has since become a highly respected figure in the field of entrepreneurship.1 His current titles include:

• Baker Foundation Professor
• Dimitri V. D'Arbeloff MBA Class of 1955 Professor of Business Administration (Emeritus)45

Research and Publications

Sahlman has made significant contributions to the field of entrepreneurship:

• Published over 150 business cases
• Co-authored or co-edited three books on entrepreneurship and business ventures1
• Focused on areas such as entrepreneurial finance, management, innovation, and venture capital4

Some of his notable publications include:

• "The Structure and Governance of Venture-Capital Organizations" (1990)
• "Why Sane People Shouldn't Serve on Public Boards" (1990)
• "What Do Venture Capitalists Do?" (1989)3

Expertise and Influence

Sahlman is known for his insights on various aspects of entrepreneurship and business:

• Argued that the 2007-2008 financial crisis was a result of corporate management issues1
• Emphasized the importance of focusing on people, opportunity, context, and risk-reward balance in successful business plans1
• Advocated for policies to enhance entrepreneurship in the United States, including investment in business ventures, tax incentives for innovation, and immigration reforms to attract skilled talent1

William Sahlman's extensive experience, research, and teachings have made him a highly influential figure in the field of entrepreneurship and business education.