Serial Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This study focuses on the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship through an analysis of serial entrepreneurs, those individuals who engage in multiple start‐ups, management buyouts, management buy‐ins and combinations of these activities. The paper develops a typology of habitual entrepreneurship and then examines serial entrepreneurs in detail as a subset of such entrepreneurs. The processes involved and the effects of individuals undertaking sequential ventures are analysed. The study identifies three types of serial entrepreneurial behaviour namely venture repeaters, organic serials and serial dealmakers, distinguished by the motivations and the methods used to develop their ventures. Case‐study evidence from the study also indicates that the role of active investors varies according to the type of serial entrepreneur and venture.