Balagopal Vissa

Bala Vissa is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Enterprise and The André and Rosalie Hoffmann Chaired Professor of Family Enterprise at INSEAD. His research focuses on entrepreneurial leadership, particularly in emerging economy settings – examining both new ventures operated by first-gen founders as well as mature organizations operated by next-gen scions of family businesses. His research delves into topics such as the structuring of upper echelon teams (these include founding teams of new ventures, boards of family businesses, investor teams of VCs, Family Offices etc.), the emergence of family business groups, the links between successful entrepreneurial exit and social impact, efficacy of entrepreneurship training and so forth. He is an invited speaker and advises entrepreneurial companies and professional investors on these topics.

Prof. Vissa has received numerous research awards and currently serves as Associate Editor at the Strategic Management Journal; in addition, he previously served as Associate Editor at the Academy of Management Journal. He also served as elected Chairperson of the Entrepreneurship & Strategy interest group of the Strategic Management Society.

He teaches topics related to entrepreneurial leadership, corporate venturing, transitions in family businesses and scaling up new ventures - in degree programs as well as in executive training programs, using a variety of pedagogical approaches including simulations, workshops and case-based learning. Currently he is directing INSEAD Leadership Programme for Senior Executives - India and numerous client-specific programs (CSPs).

Prior to finishing his doctoral studies at London Business School, Prof. Vissa was involved in setting up and growing new businesses in different specialty chemical niches for Unilever in India.