(Call for participation) Entrepreneurs: understanding stress, mental health and well-being to manage them better

Why this study

Entrepreneurs are often portrayed as superstars, the trailblazers of innovation and the champions of economic growth. These dynamic individuals are celebrated for their relentless drive, resilience, and vision. From profiles in Forbes to cover stories in Fortune, the media paints a picture of glamorous success and boundless ambition.

However, this sparkling image masks the harsh realities many entrepreneurs face. Behind the scenes, many struggle with immense psychological and emotional challenges, often dealing with the pressures on them and their ventures in isolation.

While this struggle is rarely acknowledged in mainstream narratives, high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout are daily experiences of most entrepreneurs. Particularly during difficult economic and financial periods, the pursuit of new business can take a severe toll on an entrepreneur’s mental health. A recent survey reported by Sifted  found that 45% of startup founders rate their mental health as "bad" or "very bad," with 85% experiencing high stress and 75% dealing with anxiety over the past year. Furthermore, 49% of founders are considering quitting their startup this year due to these pressures.

Despite their outward success, many entrepreneurs silently endure emotional turmoil, feeling they must live up to the superstar image while managing the very real and personal impacts of their career choices.

In recent years, the entrepreneurship ecosystem has developed quickly, offering extensive business support from developing the first idea to securing customers and funding. However, support for the emotional challenges of starting a venture remains scarce. First well-being initiatives now come into existence. Recognizing the importance of entrepreneurial well-being for sustained success and innovation, one venture capitalist now allocates funds for personal coaching and mental health support, while a former entrepreneur who experienced these emotional struggles first hand aims to build a community that tackles these topics head-on. While these first examples, as reported by the German issue of the Manager Magazine earlier this summer, give hope, the road to entrepreneurial well-being is still long and windy.

Call for participation

EDHEC Business School is committed to supporting entrepreneurial well-being through dedicated research initiatives. In a current study, Fabian Bernhard (EDHEC) and Erika Ni (Mannheim Uni.) are trying to understand stress and well-being among entrepreneurs.

If you are an entrepreneur and experience struggles with stress, or anxiety, sign up here:

https://edhec.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EQ1ij1Kb8X6GXQ

Eligible participants will receive valuable resources and practical, low-effort advice on stress management. The professors involved believe that by better understanding entrepreneurs’ mental health, they - and all the persons ready to commit - can contribute to a more resilient and innovative entrepreneurial community.

Professors in charge

• Fabian Bernhard is Associate Professor at EDHEC and member of the EDHEC Family Business Chair. He specializes in the emotional dynamics in businesses, the preparation of next generational leaders, and the psychological attachment to the family business. His articles have been published in various academic and practitioner outlets as well as in the public media. Visit his webpage

• Erika Ni is a Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences Ph.D. candidate and has worked as a Research assistant at the entrepreneurship and SME research chair at Mannheim University since September 2022. Her research interest lies within the areas of behavioral strategy and entrepreneurial behavior. Visit her webpage

Photo by Luis Villasmil via Unsplash