Mar 16 2012: The real issue with being an entrepreneur, is are you a practitioner or an academic/theorist. If you can be a practitioner and complete a PhD then great but as most high level degrees focus on research rather that practice it becomes a difficult to do both. Some successful entrepreneurs begin with their practical expression and then later on study at a high level and this of course makes them potentially more effective as well as adding value the academic world.
Im not sure that many entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley have advanced degrees as claimed by Robin. There are many people in that educational realm but they are mostly followers who implement others ideas and make real entrepreneurs look good.
One other issue with being and entrepreneur and doing a PhD is the risk factor. High level degrees are more likely to focus you on a conservative low risk approach to life and business where as the entrepreneur loves and lives with risk daily.
By the way there is a relatively new GEMBA ( 3 years old ) at University of Sydney that i think is the most balanced high level degree in the World when it comes to balancing high level education and being an entrepreneur.
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A comment on Conversation: PhD's and entrepreneurship, one or the other?
Im not sure that many entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley have advanced degrees as claimed by Robin. There are many people in that educational realm but they are mostly followers who implement others ideas and make real entrepreneurs look good.
One other issue with being and entrepreneur and doing a PhD is the risk factor. High level degrees are more likely to focus you on a conservative low risk approach to life and business where as the entrepreneur loves and lives with risk daily.
By the way there is a relatively new GEMBA ( 3 years old ) at University of Sydney that i think is the most balanced high level degree in the World when it comes to balancing high level education and being an entrepreneur.