This book examines the varied history, forms, contexts and ecosystems of entrepreneurialism in South Asia, both in colonial and post-colonial periods, and how it varies from the organised business models of the West. It investigates the effectiveness of entrepreneurship in addressing the economic growth strategies of the countries in the region. Since the late 1980s, many of these countries have liberalised their economies for faster economic growth. This has also been a challenging time due to the rising economic inequalities in several of these countries and the climate crisis. Entrepreneurship in these countries has also risen to address these issues through social entrepreneurship. The volume brings to the fore the entrepreneurial ecosystems dominated by the MSMEs with significant regulation barriers and red-tapism leading to stunted growth and premature deaths of enterprises.

Divided into five sections related to historical contexts and economic growth relations, entrepreneurial ecosystems, techno-scientific and financial sectors, feminisation of entrepreneurship, and social entrepreneurship, the volume also addresses the following questions. What are the philosophies and methodologies of creating entrepreneurs, and what are their success rates? What are the key sectors of entrepreneurialism, and whether the traditional sectors are becoming less lucrative? Can entrepreneurialism and business ecosystem create opportunities for all, or is the ecosystem segmented and favourable only to a few? What are the reasons and bases of these segmentations? What are the possibilities for grassroots enterprises and entrepreneurs in the new emerging competitive markets? What possibilities does digitalisation offer to the local, national and international entrepreneurs, women and other marginalised sections? What are the possibilities for addressing the inequalities and climate challenges through the predominant presence of MSMEs in the region? The chapters, contributed by experts in the field, attempt to address these questions by examining national, regional, and micro-ecosystems to case studies of micro, small, medium, and large businesses and social entrepreneurs. In this volume, where Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives are discussed at the aggregate level, several case studies are presented from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the region's key economies.

Philippe Cadène is Emeritus Professor of Geography and Development Studies at Université Paris Cité, France, and former Head of the GHES School (Geography, History, Economy and Societies). He is affiliated with CESSMA (Centre for Social Sciences Studies on the African, American and Asian Worlds) and has played a leading role in developing international interdisciplinary research collaborations, notably the Rebus Project (Reshaping Business in an Uncertain World). His research examines how globalisation, economic restructuring, and crises reshape production systems and territorial development. A long-standing scholar of India, he has studied the transformation of the marble, granite, and textile industries, the growth of cultural industries, and regional inequalities. He has also conducted research in Tunisia and Greece on global value chains and economic development. His scholarly work spans economic geography, regional development, globalisation, and the theoretical and methodological foundations of geography.

Abdul Shaban is Professor and Chairperson of the Centre for Public Policy, Habitat and Human Development, School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. He previously served as Deputy Director of the TISS Tuljapur Campus and has contributed to several committees and commissions constituted by the Government of India and state governments. He has been a visiting professor at leading international institutions, including the London School of Economics, Universität Münster, Erasmus University Rotterdam, and Université Paris Cité. He serves as Editor for Asia and Africa of the Journal of Regional Science Policy & Practice and has published extensively with leading international publishers. His research focuses on space and development, entrepreneurship, regional growth, industrialisation, creative and cultural industries, urbanisation, digitalisation, inequality, and social exclusion. He has led numerous research projects, funded nationally and internationally by organisations such as the European Research Council, ESRC, NWO, the British Academy, and various government agencies.

Prashant B. Narnaware is an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the 2009 Maharashtra Cadre and currently serves as Secretary to the Governor of Maharashtra. He has held several important administrative positions, including Commissioner, Women and Child Development; Commissioner, Social Justice; Joint Managing Director, CIDCO; District Collector of Osmanabad and Palghar; and Chief Executive Officer, Sangli. He has also served as an Adjunct Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Throughout his career, he has championed innovative governance and development initiatives, particularly in the areas of entrepreneurship, social welfare, rural development, and public administration. Several of his initiatives, including Matrutva Samvardhan Din, the Krishi Kranti Project, and the Osmanabad Model of Jal Yukta Shivar, have been recognised and replicated at state and national levels. He has authored scholarly publications in journals and edited volumes and has received numerous honours, including the Yashwant Panchayat Raj Award and the Best Collector Award.