MIT Entrepreneur Likes Indiana
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOne of the country’s foremost experts in entrepreneurship was in Fishers this week. Bill Aulet, the director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT, is one of the inspirations behind the model used by Launch Fishers founder John Wechsler. Aulet says the state of Indiana is in a unique position to grow its entrepreneurial landscape. He points out that while it may not be "as developed as Boston, or New York or San Francisco", the available space is a potential advantage.
He also added that the talent coming out of universities in the state is also a big advantage in creating more Hoosier entrepreneurs.
Aulet spoke at a Thursday event at Launch Fishers .
"I think what John has done here is incredible," said Aulet. "The world needs more entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is what creates jobs, it is what solves our hard problems, and to do that you need to give them an opportunity to learn how to be an entrepreneur."
"It’s just wide open here with this space. Space is a big problem in these other places," said Aulet. "But it comes down to talent. When you look at the talent that is coming out of the universities here, this talent is what makes for entrepreneurs. So it looks very good for Indianapolis and Indiana."
Aulet also dispels a common misconception held among many in the academic community that entrepreneurship cannot be taught. "It absolutely can. But it is not a science. Nor is it an art," said Aulet. "But there are first principles that if you understand and you get some apprenticeship, you can become much more of a master of it."
And while being an entrepreneur does require a certain amount of risk-taking, Aulet points out a stark reality.
"It is going to be more risky not to be an entrepreneur than to be an entrepreneur now. Going forward, if you can’t create your own job. If you are always going out and seeking your own job you are at the whim of other people. Where as if I’m an entrepreneur, I can create my own job. I control my own destiny."