Research Symposium

BIO

Nilesh Naik is a second-year undergraduate student at Florida State University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management Information Systems in the Herbert Wertheim College of Business. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, he is interested in finance, entrepreneurship, and the role of capital in helping businesses grow and scale. He has a strong interest in finance, particularly in understanding how different businesses operate and how their financial models support growth and long-term sustainability. Nilesh is especially interested in analyzing how companies structure their operations, generate revenue, and make strategic financial decisions across different industries. His academic interests focus on studying business models, capital structures, and how financial institutions support companies through lending and advisory services. Through his research and academics, he hopes to deepen his understanding of how businesses scale and adapt in different economic environments. Nilesh plans to pursue a career in corporate banking, where he hopes to work closely with companies to help them access capital, manage financial risk, and support their long-term growth.

How do Entrepreneurs Launch and Scale their Businesses in the Context of Economic Adversity and Poverty

Abstract

Entrepreneurs in low-income and economically challenging environments commonly operate under major constraints such as limited financial resources, weak institutional support, and small opportunity horizons. Regardless, many of these entrepreneurs can launch and scale their businesses despite the challenging conditions. This research explores how entrepreneurs can navigate economic adversity and identify the application of strategies they used to achieve sustainability in their business environment.

The study focuses on topics  such as adaptation of business models, making use of limited resources, creating a network, and leveraging that connection. It also examines the personal experience of resilience, learning, and opportunity recognition and application. By collecting the lived experience of entrepreneurs working under multiple frames of constraint, this research moves beyond conventional growth models that are commonly used to maintain stable economic conditions. The findings are directed at finding insights for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other organizations seeking to assist business growth in more economically challenged communities.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Business, Adversity, Economics