Réka Zempléni
Graduate Student Fellowship | 2022 - 2023 Academic Year
What Drives Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries, and How Can they be Best Supported? Experimental Evidence from Colombia and India
Entrepreneurship is a key driver for development; thus, understanding the factors that support its prosperity has important policy implications. In her dissertation, Zempléni uses methods at the intersection of behavioral, experimental, and development economics and studies factors that contribute to the outcomes of opportunity entrepreneurs - entrepreneurs who choose to start their business because of a market opportunity as opposed to necessity. She studies the complementary questions of who decides to become an entrepreneur, how funding and other resources are best allocated for entrepreneurs, and a novel approach with the potential to increase the effectiveness of training programs and entrepreneurs' resilience.
Réka Zempléni, Department of Economics
Réka Zempléni is a PhD student in economics. Zempléni's research is about understanding the role of opportunity entrepreneurship in contributing to growth in developing countries, and understanding the various factors that influence the potential of entrepreneurship such as behavioral factors, philanthropic and investing activities, education and institutions. Her previous work looked at the role of media bias on political outcomes and on civic engagement. Prior to Stanford, Zempléni received her undergraduate degree (highest honors) in economics, with minors in the Teacher Preparatory Program, and in environmental studies from Princeton University, as well as co-founded an educational non-profit in Hungary.