The Batten Institute is dedicated to the creation of knowledge about the transformative power of entrepreneurship and innovation and to the cultivation of principled, entrepreneurial leaders. We believe that entrepreneurship and innovation are powerful mechanisms for addressing society's most pressing issues and that economic and social advancement requires leaders who embrace an entrepreneurial outlook and a commitment to innovation of all kinds.

We support a diverse portfolio of research projects that have clear, practical implications for managers and for society. Our current initiatives examine the role of entrepreneurship and innovation in four broad areas: growth, emerging markets, sustainability and health care.

We engage leaders through books, articles, reports, teaching cases, curricula, conferences and workshops. Through the institute's active involvement in Darden's MBA and executive education programs, we help train the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders.

We foster a dynamic community of scholars, practitioners and students, who come together through such programs as Batten Fellows, Batten MBA Scholars, Darden Incubator and the Innovation Lab. We reach out beyond the Darden School to engage people through activities such as lecture series, informal colloquia and competitions.

Batten Institute History

Frank Batten, Sr., Biography