What does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur goes far beyond starting a business. It involves having a transformative vision, taking calculated risks, and turning ideas into realities that generate value. Below we will explore what it truly means to be an entrepreneur, what their characteristics and skills are, how they differ from a business owner, what studies and knowledge are key to developing on this path, what opportunities the digital era offers, and some inspiring examples of success.

Definition of an entrepreneur

An entrepreneur is a person who identifies an opportunity, transforms it into a project, and takes the risk of launching it in order to create economic and social value. Concepts such as ambition, vision, and value clearly define the entrepreneurial spirit. In Spain, entrepreneurial activity has grown steadily in recent years. According to the GEM 2024–2025 Report, the total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) stood at around 7% of the adult population, a figure still below the European average (10%), but one that reflects an active environment, especially in technological and innovative areas.

The same report highlights an interesting phenomenon: the foreign population shows a much higher entrepreneurial intention, at 28.1%, compared to 11.2% of Spaniards, who are less inclined to business risk and still strongly attracted to job security. In practice, one out of every seven foreign individuals was starting a business project in Spain in 2024.

What characteristics and skills does an entrepreneur have?

Entrepreneurial success does not depend only on having a good idea and the capital to finance it, but on a set of personal qualities and professional competencies. According to the Confederation of Spanish Business Organizations (CEOE), entrepreneurs identify persistence (88%), results orientation (85%), self-confidence (84%), creativity (83%), social awareness (79%), and risk tolerance (76%) as essential. 
In the case of women, interest in entrepreneurship is high: 39% of Spanish women state that they want to start a business. However, there are significant barriers, such as lack of funding (32%), fear of failure (31%), and low professional self-esteem (up to 45% among millennials). These figures show that the entrepreneurial profile must combine personal motivation, resilience, and a clear willingness to learn from mistakes—decisive factors for sustaining a project over time.

What is the difference between an entrepreneur and a business owner?

Although they are often used as synonyms, an entrepreneur and a business owner are not the same. The entrepreneur is, above all, an innovator: they detect opportunities, create projects from scratch, and take risks to turn ideas into reality. The business owner, on the other hand, is more associated with managing already established companies, focusing on efficiency, sustainable growth, and stability. The entrepreneur creates, and the business owner manages.

In Spain, social perception reflects this nuance. According to the Business Owner Barometer 2025, eight out of ten citizens have a positive view of business owners, recognizing their role in job creation and innovation. However, only 15% consider it easy to start a business, and 31% have done so at some point. Among young people, more than 50% consider doing so in the future. This suggests that the entrepreneur is perceived as the initial driver of innovation, while the business owner is the one who consolidates and manages that growth. That said, both roles can overlap.

What to study to become an entrepreneur: key knowledge

To successfully start a business, intuition and willpower are not enough: solid knowledge is needed in areas such as economics, finance, marketing, business strategy, and innovation. It is also essential to learn agile methodologies that allow a project to be validated and scaled. The lean startup methodology, for example, helps design products and services quickly, minimizing risks and adapting to real market needs.
In addition, advanced training such as an IMBA (International MBA) or an Executive MBA provides a strategic and global vision that is essential for leading teams, negotiating with investors, and expanding a company in competitive international environments. Alongside this, studying business growth is key to understanding how to consolidate and scale a business beyond its early stages.

Opportunities for entrepreneurship in the digital era

Digitalization has opened up unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurship in Spain. In fact, the national business fabric is made up almost entirely of SMEs and micro-enterprises, many of which have accelerated their digital transformation after the pandemic. However, only a small portion of small companies have a structured digitalization plan.

At the same time, Spain’s technology ecosystem is experiencing a historic moment. According to the Spain Tech Ecosystem Report 2025, startup value has already exceeded €110 billion, double that of 2020. In 2024 they raised €1.9 billion in venture capital investment, and in the first six months of 2025 they had already surpassed that figure with €1.95 billion. Spain currently has 17 unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion), ranking ninth in Europe.

The most dynamic sectors include artificial intelligence, climate technology, online travel, and digital payments. Madrid and Barcelona lead this growth, establishing themselves as hubs for talent and investment, with international events such as South Summit positioning Spain on the global entrepreneurship map.

Examples of successful entrepreneurs

Although the vast majority of startups fail to scale, success stories illustrate how well-managed ideas can become real business realities. Among the most notable in Spain today are the founders of Glovo, Cabify, Wallapop, and Wallbox, companies that have reached unicorn status and expanded internationally. Outside the digital world, Amancio Ortega, owner of Inditex and one of the richest people in the world, started with a small neighborhood shop in Galicia.

Immigrant entrepreneurship also provides inspiring examples: according to Cadena SER, an Argentine entrepreneur who began selling empanadas has built a network of more than 40 franchises in Spain, showing how a simple initiative can become a scalable business. Likewise, at an international level, social impact initiatives such as NaTakallam, which employs refugees as online language teachers, or Hoop Carpool, which promotes sustainable mobility, show that entrepreneurship can generate economic benefits while contributing to the common good.

Being an entrepreneur means innovating, taking risks, and transforming ideas into projects with economic and social impact. It also involves training in management, leadership, and digitalization, surrounding yourself with capable teams, and maintaining a resilient attitude in the face of challenges. The digital era has multiplied opportunities, and success stories show that entrepreneurship is not only about creating companies, but also about changing the way we work, consume, and relate to one another.