Olav Sorenson

Olav Sorenson is the Joseph Jacobs Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies and Professor of Strategy at UCLA Anderson School of Management. He holds the role of Faculty Research Director at the Price Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. His research focuses on economic geography, entrepreneurship, and the impact of social networks on regional competitiveness. Sorenson has taught at UCLA Anderson, Yale, and the University of Toronto, among others, and received a Ph.D. in Sociology from Stanford University.

• Education: Ph.D. Sociology (Stanford, 1997), M.A. Sociology (Stanford, 1994), A.B. Social Studies (Harvard, 1991)
• Awards: 2018 Global Award for Entrepreneurship Research, Honorary Doctorate from Aalborg University

His research explores how entrepreneurship shapes regional economies, the role of social capital in startup success, and the interplay between basic science and innovation. Over 100 publications span journals like Science, Journal of Financial Economics, and Administrative Science Quarterly. Current teaching includes Venture Capital Strategy and Entrepreneurship courses, emphasizing strategic decision-making for investors and founders.

Key themes in his work include geographic clusters (e.g., Silicon Valley), venture capital dynamics, and diversity’s impact on innovation. He has advised student teams in Anderson’s Venture Accelerator and contributed to initiatives like the UCLA Anderson Forecast.