The main types of entrepreneurship are small business, scalable startup, corporate (intrapreneurship), social, technopreneurship, green, lifestyle, serial, franchise, online and digital, rural, women, public (state) and cooperative entrepreneurship.
A neighbourhood bakery, a venture-funded fintech, a new division inside Tata, and a nonprofit selling clean cookstoves are all entrepreneurship. They differ in why they exist, how they are funded and how big they aim to grow. Stanford’s Steve Blank popularised a simple way to sort them: small business, scalable startup, large-company innovation and social enterprise. Other types build on those four.
Here are 14 types of entrepreneurship with examples. For the people behind them, see the types of entrepreneurs.
14 Types of Entrepreneurship
1. Small Business Entrepreneurship
Running a business to support the owner’s family and a few employees: shops, salons, workshops, consultancies. Most businesses in India are of this kind.
2. Scalable Startup Entrepreneurship
Building a business designed to grow very large, usually with venture capital. Zomato, Razorpay and Zepto followed this path.
3. Corporate Entrepreneurship (Intrapreneurship)
Creating new ventures inside an existing company. Titan began in 1984 as a new venture of the Tata group, set up jointly with the Tamil Nadu government’s TIDCO, and grew into India’s largest watch and jewellery maker. See intrapreneurship.
4. Social Entrepreneurship
Businesses whose main purpose is solving a social problem, such as SELCO bringing solar power to rural homes. See types of social entrepreneurship.
5. Technopreneurship
Ventures built on new technology. See types of technopreneurship.
6. Green Entrepreneurship
Businesses that make money while reducing environmental harm, from EV makers to recycling firms. See characteristics of green entrepreneurship.
7. Lifestyle Entrepreneurship
Businesses built around the owner’s interests and desired way of life rather than maximum growth. See lifestyle entrepreneurship.
8. Serial Entrepreneurship
Starting several businesses one after another, often selling or handing over each.
9. Franchise Entrepreneurship
Running an outlet of an established brand under a franchise agreement. See pros and cons of franchising.
10. Online and Digital Entrepreneurship
Businesses run mainly online: e-commerce stores, content creators, online courses, D2C brands.
11. Rural Entrepreneurship
Enterprises in villages, often linked to farming, food processing, crafts or local services.
12. Women Entrepreneurship
Businesses founded and run by women, supported in India by schemes such as Stand-Up India. See challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.
13. Public (State) Entrepreneurship
The government starting and running enterprises, such as ISRO’s commercial arm NSIL or public sector companies.
14. Cooperative Entrepreneurship
Members jointly own and run a business, such as Amul or IFFCO.
Comparison of the Main Types
| Type | Goal | Funding | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small business | Steady income | Savings, bank loans | Local bakery |
| Scalable startup | Rapid growth, large market | Venture capital | Razorpay |
| Corporate | New growth for a big firm | Parent company | Titan (Tata) |
| Social | Social impact | Impact investors, revenue | SELCO |
| Cooperative | Benefits for members | Member capital | Amul |
