Saras D. Sarasvathy

Professor Saras Sarasvathy proposes a novel framework combining Elinor Ostrom’s institutional analysis and development model of collective action and effectuation to tackle climate change. Instead of relying on predictive top-down approaches, she advocates leveraging existing resources and partnerships while embracing unexpected opportunities.

Launching a startup means navigating a world of unknowns. How can new entrepreneurs effectively manage this uncertainty? Darden Professor Saras Sarasvathy offers a solution with the CAVE framework.

Professor Saras Sarasvathy discusses the virtues of the “middle class of business,” what she calls enduring companies that grow steadily but not massively and that create jobs and spur economies. Teaching entrepreneurship is akin to teaching the scientific method to those who aren’t scientists, and the mindset can help solve problems in the world.

Low-cost renewable power: Husk Power Systems uses the world’s largest fleet of solar hybrid minigrids to provide power to remote rural communities across South Asia — with an agricultural waste product. Professor Saras Sarasvathy discusses how entrepreneurship is a method to build a better world and unleash human potential.

No event in modern history has driven so much change, so fast, as the coronavirus pandemic. In a world beset by the challenges presented by COVID-19, can we look into the minds of entrepreneurs to discover how businesses and individuals might start to rebuild?

While the future has always been unpredictable, the global uncertainty caused by the novel coronavirus is at a record high. To help us steer through this unprecedented crisis, Professor Saras Sarasvathy shares insights on entrepreneurial decision-making and offers four strategies seasoned founders use to turn uncertainty into opportunity.

Raising venture capital isn’t for the faint of heart, but the challenges are magnified for female founders. Professors Saras Sarasvathy and Elena Loutskina share insights on barriers women face to raising risk capital and how to overcome them.

The “pivot” has become part of startup lexicon. But pivot-thinking may not work for all companies, and substantially changing an organization’s strategy can be difficult and expensive for entrepreneurs. Darden experts weigh in.

How do successful entrepreneurs think? Darden Professor Saras Sarasvathy discusses her study of “effectuation” and the unique logic expert entrepreneurs employ to create the future, rather than simply predict it.

Effectuation is the logic of thinking used by expert entrepreneurs to build successful ventures. Darden Professor Saras Sarasvathy discovered the method through scientific research and has built a global movement of experts expanding research on and examining applications of the five principles of effectual action.