In the writings of Richard Cantillon, an entrepreneur is described as an agent who purchases means of production at certain prices, converts them into final products to sell them at uncertain prices in future. Herein, the key element which needs to be taken into consideration is ‘uncertainty regarding future’. When an entrepreneur starts up a new business he is never sure of its success. It may happen that the business may flourish in the successful direction or it might also happen that it ruins everything that the entrepreneur has. Although the possibility of absolute ruin is very rare, but the risk is always there. Moreover, when an individual opts for entrepreneurship as a career he gives up career in employment. That is, he gives up a well promised job or profession that provides assured returns. However, in reality what he is taking up is called moderate and calculated risk. When an entrepreneur decides to take up a new business venture, then first of all he weighs the favours against the odds on the basis of his skills, abilities and confidence. On this basis, they generally avoid the situations that are highly risky. Thus, they do undertake risks but such risks are moderate and calculated ones. They take up those ventures where the odds and favours are in equal probability and where they have the confidence of converting a only a 50% probability of success into 100% success. Thus, it can be said that they undertake moderate and calculated risk.
