The Silicon Valley Podcast Ep 274 What Makes Entrepreneurs Unstoppable? With Lori Rosenkopf
Guest: Lori Rosenkopf – Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship, Wharton School
BioLori Rosenkopf is the Vice Dean of Entrepreneurship and the Simon and Midge Palley Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. As Wharton’s Faculty Director for Venture Lab, she supports student entrepreneurs across the university.
She previously served as Vice Dean and Director of Wharton’s 2,500-student Undergraduate Division from 2013 to 2019, where she introduced a new curriculum, expanded career pathways, and created more opportunities for students. Her research and teaching draw from her background in systems engineering and social science, with a focus on networks and learning in knowledge industries. With deep connections to Wharton alumni and a sharp understanding of millennial and Gen Z aspirations, Lori brings a unique perspective on the future of entrepreneurship.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode- The most transformative changes in entrepreneurship education at Wharton
- What makes Wharton’s approach effective in producing world-class leaders
- How students are expanding their definition of entrepreneurship beyond Silicon Valley stereotypes
- The role of mentors and role models in shaping entrepreneurial careers
- Traits Lori has seen consistently in students who go on to build impactful ventures
- Insights from her book Unstoppable Entrepreneurs and the stories that inspired it
- How Wharton alumni networks create opportunities for the next generation of founders
- Lessons from organizations like Harlem Capital on the future of venture funding
- How Gen Z founders are rethinking impact, purpose, and business models
The views expressed in this podcast are Lori’s own and are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute financial or legal advice, nor do they necessarily reflect the views of Finalis Inc. or Finalis Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.