BRAZILIAN AND AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL EXPERIENCE: CULTURAL AND FINANCIAL ASPECTS FROM BRAZILIAN ENTREPRENEURS’ POINT OF VIEW

Abstract

Objective: this study aims to compare the entrepreneurial experience, specifically related to the determinants culture and access to capital between Brazil (the South and the Southeast regions) and the United States of America (South Florida), from the entrepreneur´s point of view. Methodology: an exploratory qualitative study was developed through in-depth interviews with Brazilian entrepreneurs, who had entrepreneurial experience both in Brazil and in the US. Results: even though the American economy and the image of entrepreneurs in the US encourage entrepreneurship, the fear of failure is present in both countries. Besides, the common belief that it is easy and cheap to get credit in the US was not verified in the interviews. Finally, the perspective of entrepreneurs in relation to the regulation in the US is also contradictory. Even though they like the regulation in the US and criticize the Brazilian bureaucracy, they also would like to have the flexibility that they have in Brazil. Methodological and theoretical contributions: this study makes it possible to future researchers to compare the venture capital market in both countries, as the other determinants that compound the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Originality/Relevance: this study’s relevance comes from the comprehension of the differences between the entrepreneurial experience in Brazil and in the United States, through Brazilian entrepreneurs’ experiences. Contributions: through the entrepreneurs’ experiences, it was possible to identify how the differences between the two countries, mainly regarding cultural and financial aspects, can modify the entrepreneurial ecosystem.