New businesses are crucial for the sustained economic development of the world's emerging regions. Entrepreneurs — the enterprising individuals who conceive of and launch new businesses — and a culture that encourages their risk taking and creativity are therefore essential to their growth and prosperity. The Batten Institute's Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets Initiative supports research projects focused on entrepreneurs and the ingredients of entrepreneurship in emerging regions around the world: seed-stage capital, mentors, sound social institutions, and a culture that welcomes new ideas and educates and supports those who pursue them.