William Sahlman

Mr. Sahlman received an A.B. degree in Economics from Princeton University (1972), an M.B.A. from Harvard University (1975), and a Ph.D. in Business Economics (1982), also from Harvard. He joined the Harvard Business School faculty in 1980.

His research focuses on the investment and financing decisions made in entrepreneurial ventures at all stages in their development. Mr. Sahlman has written numerous articles and two textbooks on topics including entrepreneurial management, venture capital, private equity, deal structuring, incentives, commercializing science, impact investing, and the role of entrepreneurship in the global economy.

In 1985, Mr. Sahlman introduced a new second-year elective course called Entrepreneurial Finance. Over 10,000 students have taken that course since it was first offered. In 2000, Mr. Sahlman helped design and introduce The Entrepreneurial Manager, a required course in the First Year MBA curriculum. In 2017, Mr. Sahlman developed an HBS Online course called Entrepreneurship Essentials. In 2020, Mr. Sahlman will introduce a new HBS course called Entrepreneurial Solutions to World Problems. Mr. Sahlman has published over 200 cases and notes for classroom use.

From 2007 to 2016, Mr. Sahlman was Senior Associate Dean for External Relations. From 2003 to 2016, he was co-chair of the Rock Center for Entrepreneurship. He was co-chair of the Entrepreneurial Management Unit from 1999 to 2002. From 1991 to 1999, he was Senior Associate Dean, Director of Publishing Activities, and chairman of the board for Harvard Business School Publishing Corporation. From 1990 to 1991, he was chairman of the Harvard University Advisory Committee on Shareholder Responsibility. From 2009 to 2015, he was chairman of the Advisory Committee for Harvard Stem Cell Science.

Mr. Sahlman is a member of the board of advisors or board of directors of several private companies and organizations, including the McCance Center for Brain Health at Mass General Hospital. He has been a director, advisor, and/or investor in over 200 companies, venture capital funds, and nonprofits.

In April 2011, the National Venture Capital Association gave Mr. Sahlman The American Spirit Award, which was created in 1999 "to recognize individuals who have shown outstanding leadership by applying business skills, knowledge, expertise and resources to make a meaningful contribution to society."