Mariana Mazzucato

Economist, author and advocate for purpose-driven public innovation.

Profile

Mariana Mazzucato is an Italian-American economist known for her critique of traditional narratives of economic value. Her work highlights the fundamental role of the State as a co-creator of value, not just as a regulator or corrector of market failures. She challenges the dominant narrative that the private sector is the sole driver of innovation and value creation.

Areas of Impact

• Public innovation and entrepreneurial state theory
• Mission-oriented innovation policy
• Value creation vs. value extraction economics
• Green transformation and climate economics

Key Ideas & Works

• The Entrepreneurial State: Reveals how public sector innovation drives technological breakthroughs.
• Mission Economy: Framework for organizing innovation around societal challenges.
• Value of Everything: Redefining what constitutes value creation in modern economies.
• Purpose-driven capitalism: Moving beyond shareholder primacy to stakeholder value.

Notable Quotes

"Innovation is not just about technology, it's about solving problems that matter."
"We need to move from a world where we socialize risks and privatize rewards."
"The state has been a key driver of innovation, yet this role is often invisible."