Engineers, entrepreneurs and the commercialization of technology

Engineering and entrepreneurial skills are essential ingredients in the commercialization of technology. This paper examines the two skill sets. Engineering favors conservative, proactive, risk-averse, individuals committed to technological feasibility. Entrepreneurship demands visionary, optimistic, risk seeking, individuals who are good communicators. These skill sets rarely reside in a single individual and consequently in the development process, a certain tension is inevitable.