IN THE NEWS:
EPOP:2026 -- A New Longitudinal Resource for Entrepreneurial Research
The EPOP Survey Project is pleased to release its fifth wave of data. EPOP:2026 adds a new longitudinal component, connecting participants surveyed in 2024 or 2025 with their experiences in 2026. The new design opens opportunities for researchers and policymakers to explore how people move into, out of, and across different forms of entrepreneurship.
IN THE NEWS:
Evolving Entrepreneurship Patterns in the U.S.: Findings, Trends, and Next Steps for EPOP
The EPOP Survey Project has released its fourth wave of data, capturing a detailed snapshot of entrepreneurial activity in America in 2025. The accompanying research brief highlights key trends since the survey’s launch in 2022, including a continued decline in individuals considering new business ventures and a steady increase in former business owners. Participation in freelance and digital platform work has remained relatively stable, underscoring the continued importance of non-traditional employment in the U.S. economy.
View the EPOP:2025 research brief on evolving entrepreneurship trends in the U.S.
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:
Measuring Entrepreneurial Activities in the U.S.: Introducing the EPOP Survey
This journal article introduces the nationally representative Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) Survey, highlighting its innovative approach to capturing the full spectrum of entrepreneurial activities in the U.S. and outlining its design, measurement strategy, and forthcoming longitudinal data to advance research on entrepreneurial pathways.
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
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State-Level Data
Demographic Data
MSA-Level Data
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
March 2026: Measuring Entrepreneurial Activities in the U.S.: Introducing the EPOP Survey
January 2026: Staff Report from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for Congress
January 2026: Latino Business Ownership 2025 Fact Sheet
January 2026: Veteran Business Ownership 2025 Fact Sheet
December 2025: Release of EPOP:2025, the Fourth Year of EPOP Data and Resources
September 2025: Evolving Entrepreneurship Patterns in the U.S.: Findings, Trends, and Next Steps for EPOP
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 conduct the EPOP survey and publicly share the survey results for data users. The results support estimation by key demographic subgroups across the nation. The upcoming fifth survey will include a longitudinal subsample to support research on entrepreneurial dynamics over time.
