Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners and their Access to Financial Capital

Even though two in five entrepreneurs fell into business ownership through redundancy, four in every five say that given the chance they would do it all over again. Asked about the deterrents to setting up a business today, 80 per cent of business owners cite access to credit, followed by red tape and lack of government support. Half believe the state of the economy deters budding entrepreneurs, and market dominance by large corporations is also highlighted as a further barrier.

Last month, new life was breathed into an effort to bring back some popular small business lending provisions that expired shortly before the 2012 presidential election. These expired programs enabled a record number of small businesses to refinance commercial mortgages. The renewed push to reinstate the programs, along with some additional policy changes, can go a long way toward aiding Main Street’s recovery. President Obama has done a number of positive things to help the small business sector. Business startups are up 8 percent from 2009 to 2011, and U.S.

Landing page summary:  This research report is written by Timothy Bates, Alicia Robb, and Simon Parker (Beacon Economics LLC). The study identifies some of the factors that predict growth among startups and very young ventures and provides insights into small firm growth dynamics.

Landing page summary:  Businesses owned by veterans and by service-disabled veterans have been the subject of a special research effort by the U. S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy since the enactment of the Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999, Public Law 106-50.

Landing page summary:  This paper outlines the most important issues and opportunities facing small business owners and entrepreneurs in this election year. While it does not delve into policy solutions, the next administration will almost certainly need to address many of them, regardless of who wins the presidency.

Business owners Lawrence Tomlinson and Rekha Mehr are to become the entrepreneurs in residence at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) after fighting off competition from over 200 other applicants. Experienced Leeds-based entrepreneur Lawrence Tomlinson has run businesses in a number sectors including construction, software, chemicals, cars, and care homes.