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Richard Bliss

  • Professor
  • National Academic Director - Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
Academic Division: Finance
781-239-5883
Dr. Bliss is a Professor of Finance at Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts. He has been involved in corporate and entrepreneurial finance since 1987, with industry experience that includes time at Touche Ross & Company in New York as a consultant, and senior financial positions at Van Camp Seafood Company and Safety One, Inc., a specialty chemicals start-up. He teaches at the undergraduate, MBA, and executive levels, specializing in the areas of Corporate Financial Strategy, Sustainability, Risk Management, and Entrepreneurial Finance. Prior to coming to Babson, Dr. Bliss was on the faculty at Indiana University and he has taught extensively in Central and Eastern Europe, including at the Warsaw School of Economics, Warsaw University, and the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia. He is a visiting faculty for the Technical University of Denmark's Certificate in Entrepreneurial Leadership Program in Copenhagen. He has developed and delivered customized corporate training programs for Bausch & Lomb, Lucent Technologies, Irving Oil, the Slovak American Enterprise Fund in Bratislava, Slovakia, the Foundation for the Establishment of the Futures Exchange in Warsaw and Bright China Management Institute in Beijing. Most recently, Dr. Bliss is a member of the Babson team helping to develop and deliver the curriculum for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, a US$500 million initiative designed to create jobs and spur economic activity through greater access to business education, mentors, networks and financial capital. With publications in the areas of corporate finance, entrepreneurship, and banking, Dr. Bliss has an active research agenda. His current research considers the impact of gender teamwork on mutual fund manager investment decisions. His work has been published in the Journal of Financial Economics, Derivatives Quarterly, and The Journal of Small Business Management, among others. He has also written numerous book chapters and case studies in the areas of corporate financial strategy, risk management, entrepreneurial finance, and emerging markets. His book, Entrepreneurial Finance: Strategy, Valuation & Deal Structure, co-authored with Janet Kiholm-Smith and Richard L. Smith, was published in April 2011 by the Stanford University Press. Dr. Bliss holds a Ph.D. in Finance and M.A. in Economics from Indiana University. He has also received his M.B.A. in Finance/Real Estate from Indiana University and graduated with honors from Rutgers University, earning a B.S. degree in Engineering and a B.A. degree in Economics.

Academic Degrees

  • Ph D, Indiana University
  • MBA, Indiana University
  • BA, Rutgers University
  • BS, Rutgers University

Academic Interest / Expertise

Corporate Finance; Corporate Strategy; Entrepreneurial Finance

Awards & Honors

  • 2017 — Carpenter Prize, Babson College

Courses

  • Degree Courses 2025

    • FIN 2000 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE

  • Degree Courses 2024

    • FIN 2000 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE

  • Degree Courses 2023

    • FIN 7525 FINANCE FOR NEW VENTURES
    • FIN 2000 PRINCIPLES OF FINANCE

Publications

Journal Articles

  • Bliss, R.T., Potter, M.E., Schwarz, C. (2012). Decision making and risk aversion in the Cash Cab. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. Vol: 84, Issue: 1, Page: 163-173. Elsevier BV.
  • Potter, M.E., Bliss, R.T., Schwarz, C. (2008). Performance Characteristics of Individual vs. Team Managed Mutual Funds. Journal of Portfolio Management.
  • Potter, M.E., Bliss, R.T. (2003). The Impact of Gender and Social/Professional Networks on Behavior: Evidence from Mutual Fund Managers. Corporate Finance Review.
  • Bliss, R.T., Polutnik, L. (2003). Women managers in Poland and the United States: A comparative analysis. Industrial Relations Journal. Vol: 34, Issue: 3, Page: 210-225.
  • Polutnik, L., Bliss, R.T. (2003). Women Managers in Poland and the United States: A Comparative Analysis. Industrial Relations Journal. Page: 210-225.

Books

  • Smith, J.K., Smith, R.L., Bliss, R.T. (2011). Entrepreneurial Finance: Strategy, Vaulation, and Deal Structure. Page: 744. Stanford University Press.
  • Bliss, R.T. (2009). Profitable Growth by Acquisition: The Portable MBA in Finance and Accounting. Issue: 4th. John Wiley & Sons, Inc..

Cases and Teaching Notes

  • Potter, M.E., Bliss, R.T. (2021). Kaitlyn Otashi: Budgeting and Spending Analysis. The Case Centre. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Potter, M.E. (2015). Sneaker 2013. Page: 5. Babson College/Harvard Business School Publishing. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Potter, M.E. (2014). Sneakers 2013. Babson College.

Book Chapters

  • Bliss, R.T., Potter, M.E. (2020). Chapter 4, ESG and Alternative Investments: Alternative Investments: An Allocators Approach. Issue: 4th Edition, Page: pp. 49-70. Chartered Alternative Investments Association.
  • Bliss, R.T., Potter, M.E. (2020). Chapter 5, ESG Analysis and Application: Alternative Investments: An Allocators Approach. Issue: 4th edition, Page: pp. 71-92. Chartered Alternative Investments Association.
  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L. (2020). Access to Capital: Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets: "Entrepreneurial finance in emerging markets: Exploring Tools, Techniques, and Innovative Technologies". Page: 103-121. Palgrave Macmillan. link
  • Greene, P.G., Fetters, M.L., Donnellon, A., Bliss, R.T. (in press). Book Chapter “The Future of Entrepreneurship Education: Educating for Economic and Social Impact” By Greene P. G., Fetters M.L., Donnellon, A. & Bliss R.T., Babson College Chapter in: A Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship Education: Book Chapter “The Future of Entrepreneurship Education: Educating for Economic and Social Impact” By Greene P. G., Fetters M.L., Donnellon, A. & Bliss R.T., Babson College Chapter in: A Research Agenda for Entrepreneurship Education edited by Alain Fayolle (June, 2018. Issue: ISBN-13: 978-1786432902. Elgar.
  • Fetters, M., Greene, P., Donnellon, A., Bliss, R.T. (2018). Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses as a Public-Private Partnership : The Future of Management Education: Educating for Economic and Social Impact. Page: 15. Edgar Elgar. link
  • Bliss, R.T. (2012). Private Equity: The Differences between Developed and Emerging Markets: Private Equity in Emerging Markets: the New Frontiers of International Finance. Page: 3-16. Palgrave Macmillan.
  • Polutnik, L., Bliss, R.T. (2007). New Venture Creation and Economic Transition: The Case of Slovenia. Vol: III, Page: 163-190. Praeger.
  • Polutnik, L., Bliss, R.T., Lisowska, E. (2003). Women Business Owners and Managers in Poland: Research in Entrepreneurship and Management. Vol: 3, Page: 225-241.

Reports

  • Bliss, R.T. (2018). Stimulating Small Business Growth: Progress Report on Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Page: 39. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Rochlin, S., Jordan, S., Kiser, C.Y. (2015). Project ROI: Defining the Competitive and Financial Advantages of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability. Page: 66. link
  • Greene, P.G., Bliss, R.T., Ceru, D.J., Donnellon, A., Fetters, M.L., Hernandez, B., Zimelis, A. (2014). Stimulating Small Business Growth: Progress Report on Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. Babson College. link

Other

  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L., Potter, M.E. (in press). Driving Profitable Growth and Uncertain Times. Page: 13. Goldman Sachs.
  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L., Potter, M.E. (in press). Three Deals.
  • Bliss, R.T. (2019). Voice of Small Business in America: 2019 Insights Report: Voice of Small Business in America: 2019 Insights Report. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L. (in press). Concierge Cleaners: From Idea to Opportunity Case & TN: WENYC: Promoting the Success of Women Entrepreneurs. Page: 5. WENYC-NYC Mayor's Office and BEE, Babson College. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L., , . (in press). Concierge Cleaners: Getting Off the Ground Case & TN: WENYC: Promoting the Success of Women Entrepreneurs. Page: 5. WENYC-NYC Mayor's Office and BEE, Babson College. link
  • Bliss, R.T., Fetters, M.L. (in press). Concierge Cleaners: The Next Level Case & TN: WENYC: Promoting the Success of Women Entrepreneurs. Page: 5. WENYC-NYC Mayor's Office and BEE, Babson College. link

Articles - Circular or newsletter (e.g., Babson Insight)

  • Bliss, R.T. (2015). Shareholder Value and CSR: Friends or Foes?: CFO Magazine. CFO Magazine. link

Presentations

  • The Path Forward - Strategic Planning for Small Business Growth Bliss, R. The Big Power of Small Business, Washington, DC (2018)
  • The Future of Entrepreneurship Education: Educating for Economic and Social Impact Lessons Learned from the 10,000 Businesses Program By Greene, Fetters, Donnellon and Bliss Greene, P. Fetters, M. Donnellon, A. Bliss, R. , . Babson Faculty Research Seminar, Babson College (2017)
  • Put a Number on It: The ROI of Corporate Responsibility Bliss, R. Rochlin, S. Stangis, D. Net Impact, Seattle, WA (2015)
  • Designing and Delivering Curriculum For Small Businesses Bliss, R. Midwest Educators Forum on Entrepreneurship, Mason City, Iowa (2015)
  • Shared Vision: How Community Colleges are Supporting Micro-Entrepreneurs Bliss, R. NACCE (National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship) Conference, Phoenix, AZ (2014)
  • Introducing Social Responsibility/ Financial Concepts into Business Statistics Bliss, R. Decision Sciences Institute 2011 Annual Meeting, (2011)
  • Decision Making and Risk Aversion in the Cash Cab Bliss, R. Academy of Behavioral Finance and Economics Annual Meeting, (2010)
  • Decision Making and Risk Aversion in the Cash Cab Bliss, R. Financial Management Association Annual Meeting, (2010)
  • Jekyll or Hyde: Performance of Fund Managers Who Run Multiple Funds Potter, M. Bliss, R. Schwarz, C. 2007 Financial Management Association Conference, Orlando, FL, USA (2007)
  • Entrepreneurship vs. Privatization: The Case of Slovenia Polutnik, L. Bliss, R. Pahor, M. Babson-Kaufmann Entrepreneurship Research Conference, Wellesley, MA (2007)
  • Group Dynamics 101: Performance Characteristics of Individual vs. Team-Managed Mutual Funds Potter, M. Bliss, R. Schwarz, C. 2005 Financial Management Association Conference, Chicago, IL, USA (2005)
  • Group Dynamics 101: Performance Characteristics of Individual vs. Team-Managed Mutual Funds Potter, M. Bliss, R. Schwarz, C. 2005 Northeast Business and Economics Association Conference, Newport, RI, USA (2005)
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