IN THE NEWS:
Start-Up Capital for U.S. Business Ventures: Evidence from EPOP:2024
The EPOP Survey Project has released the 2024 data on entrepreneurship in America and a new research brief focusing on challenges with obtaining capital to start new businesses. Exploring both traditional and emerging sources of capital, the EPOP:2024 data reveals that most business owners rely on their personal assets—credit cards in particular--to fund their start-ups. Entrepreneurs frequently apply for capital from external sources, but relatively few ultimately receive this funding.
IN THE NEWS:
Entrepreneurship Experiences Among Young U.S. Immigrants
NORC’s latest research brief “Entrepreneurship Experiences Among Young U.S. Immigrants” provides insight into U.S. immigrants’ experiences with entrepreneurship and challenges faced when pursuing self-employment. Focusing on younger adults under the age of 40, this analysis using EPOP:2022 data finds immigrants are more inclined to start businesses compared to their native-born counterparts. This brief also shows that immigrant business owners struggle with personal finances at a significantly higher rate than native-born business owners. These findings reinforce the importance of considering the unique experiences of immigrant entrepreneurs when developing policies and programs aimed at fostering entrepreneurship.
View the report on young U.S. immigrants’ experience with entrepreneurship
IN THE NEWS:
AEO Studies Black Business Ownership
The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is a research leader in the microbusiness ecosystem, focusing in particular on underserved microbusinesses. Using US Census and EPOP Survey data, AEO analyzed Black business ownership. The AEO report “Weaving Success: A Progress Report on the Tapestry of Black Business Ownership in the United States” covers the growth achieved and challenges remaining for Black entrepreneurs.
IN THE NEWS:
EPOP in Indiana
Based on the national EPOP Survey, the Entrepreneurship in the Population: Indiana (EPOP-IN) project focuses on experiences with and interest in entrepreneurship in Indiana. The Central Indiana Corporate Partnership (CICP) conducted EPOP-IN to learn about self-employment and business formation issues specific to residents in their state. The study collected data from August to November 2022. Click here for EPOP-IN information, data, and reports about the study.
If you are interested in learning more about conducting an EPOP study at the state, regional, or local level, please contact us at EPOPresearch@norc.org.
ACCESS THE DATA
The EPOP survey is a cross-sectional annual survey – nationally representative of adults residing in the U.S. – which measures the interest in, involvement with, and experiences with entrepreneurship across the population. Public Use data files and Restricted Use data files are available.
Public Use Files
- For general use without restriction
- Comprehensive data set
- Supports national, state, and regional analysis
- Data and documentation available
- Emailed to you directly
Restricted Use Files
- For specific research needs
- Adhere to strict data security procedures
- Requires an application process
- Requires data security training
- Requires signing a Data Use Agreement
DATA IN ACTION
Click on an image to interact with the data
State-Level Data
Demographic Data
MSA-Level Data
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
March 2025: Women Business Ownership Fact Sheet by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
March 6-7, 2025: National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Conference on The Changing Nature of Work
February 2025: Black Business Ownership Fact Sheet by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO)
December 19, 2024: Start-Up Capital for U.S. Business Ventures: Evidence from EPOP:2024
July 19, 2024: Entrepreneurship Experiences Among Young U.S. Immigrants report by NORC
OUR METHODOLOGY
EPOP is a five-year, cross-sectional, nationally representative survey which measures entrepreneurship status and activity in the US. From 2022 to 2026, NORC will collect 31,000 completed surveys per year. The results will support estimation by key demographic subgroups and by each of the 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the 50 most populous metropolitan areas.
