Rodney D'Souza

Rodney D’Souza is the Managing Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Professor of Professional Practice at Texas Christian University. He specializes in transforming academic and student ideas into sustainable ventures through cross-campus programs such as accelerators, angel funds, internships, and mentorship initiatives.

Education:

• PhD, University of Louisville
• MBA, Northern Kentucky University
• MS, University of Pune

Research Interests:

His work focuses on entrepreneurship, venture capital, and entrepreneurial competency development. He explores how experiential learning, knowledge heterogeneity, and social networks impact opportunity recognition, venture creation, and firm performance. His research also examines the role of pre-startup advice networks, pedagogical innovations in entrepreneurship training, and behavioral factors affecting startup sustainability.

Recent Article Trends:

His publications highlight themes such as opportunity identification, venture capital screening processes, and the cognitive aspects of entrepreneurial decision-making. He investigates the integration of legitimacy and kinship ties in new firm founding, the dynamics of entrepreneurial entry, and the influence of early educational interventions on high school students' entrepreneurial intentions.

Labs and Teams:

As Managing Director, he leads programs like accelerators, mentorship networks, and angel funds to support entrepreneurs across TCU. These initiatives aim to bridge academic research with practical venture development.