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EXTRA EPOP SURVEYS AND OVERSAMPLES

THE EPOP ENTERPRISE 

Started in 2021, EPOP is a multi-year initiative conducted by a team of researchers at NORC at the University of Chicago with funding from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. The EPOP initiative is unique in that it directly asks individuals along all parts of the entrepreneurial pathway about their experiences.  

DO YOU NEED AN EXTRA EPOP SURVEY OR OVERSAMPLE?

By understanding the challenges facing all potential business owners, the EPOP Survey can help local governments and organizations better identify the issues facing their own communities and how to release the stored economic potential of promising entrepreneurs in their area.  

EPOP data is nationally representative.  Both public and restricted use data are available from each annual survey. The annual EPOP Survey sample design supports the following estimation objectives:

  • National estimates of entrepreneurial activity by demographics such as race/ethnicity, gender, age, and education, but not necessarily by the cross of these demographic variables
  • State-level estimates of entrepreneurial activity by race/ethnicity and gender, but not necessarily by the cross of these variables, and
  • Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) level estimates of entrepreneurial activity for the top 50 MSAs by population by race/ethnicity and gender, but not necessarily by the cross of these variables.

More precise estimation is possible to support specific research needs by adding an oversample to an annual national EPOP Survey by conducting an extra customized survey tailored to specific research objectives:

If you’re interested in having an oversample of a particular geographic area for more in-depth analysis, increased coverage of a particular demographic group of the population, or conducting a separate, customized EPOP Survey, contact us to discuss the details of your research needs and to get a cost estimate. 

 

CONTACT US

We’re happy to discuss the current EPOP project and what we can do to support the unique research needs of independent researchers, state and local governments, or other research organizations.  

Please contact the EPOP research team at EPOPresearch@norc.org. 

TELL US ABOUT YOUR RESEARCH

We want to hear about your research and analysis using EPOP Survey data. Let us know about your presentations, reports, and publications, and we will add them to Publications. 
 

Contact us at EPOPresearch@norc.org.

IN THE NEWS

Women Business Ownership Fact Sheet

Using EPOP:2024 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) presents a profile of women business owners and their impact on the economy.

Learn More March 2025
Black Business Ownership Fact Sheet

Using EPOP:2024 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) highlights the significant contributions of Black entrepreneurs and opportunities for support.

Learn More February 2025
Latino Business Ownership Fact Sheet

Using EPOP:2023 data, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) calls attention to Latino business owners’ contributions to the U.S. economy and the unique challenges they face. AEO uses EPOP:2023 data to study Latino entrepreneurs—to quantify their numbers, recognize the priority they place on growing their businesses, and note that they face inequitable access to resources and support.

Learn More October 2024

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PUBLICATIONS

Balancing Risk and Reward: Health Insurance and the Financial Stability of Female Entrepreneurs with Children
Learn More May 2025
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.

Learn More December 19, 2024
Minority Business Retail Growth

The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) examined minority entrepreneurs in the retail industry using EPOP:2023 data. Their report “Assessing Challenges and Opportunities for Minority Business Retail Growth” focuses on small Black-owned retail businesses. This analysis utilizes EPOP data to underscore obstacles for Black retailers, such as, finding customers, doing taxes, and networking.

Learn More September 2024

VIEW ALL

INTERESTED IN CONDUCTING RESEARCH WITH NORC?

Please reach out to:

Office of Business Development

EPOP is a survey for U.S. residents that asks individuals about their experience with and attitudes towards owning a business or working for themselves.

Entrepreneurship in the Population

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

NORC at the University of Chicago

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PARTICIPANT RIGHTS

If you have any questions or concerns about your rights as a research participant, please contact the NORC IRB Manager at IRB@norc.org or call: (866) 309-0542

TAKE THE SURVEY *

 

*The survey sample is scientifically selected.  The EPOP Survey is by invitation only.

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