I use a lot of data and statistics when I present about entrepreneurship. Often, I get asked about sources as people are usually curious to learn more.
Below is a growing list of references, articles, surveys, and research about entrepreneurship. Check back often; I’ll add more as I find them.
Data points:
- Most unicorns are started by second- or third-time founders (dive deeper by reading Super Founders)
- Half of all businesses close by their fifth year (Business survival rates – BLS data from 2023)
- Startup failure rates over time (great source with even more data and graphs)
- The top reasons why new businesses fail
- More businesses are being started than ever before; more data here on that topic
- Entrepreneurship by race/ethnicity of the founder
- Some macro stats on entrepreneurship
- Best cities to start a business
- Founder data by college/grad school
- Proof that mentoring works; even more proof that mentoring works, especially for women
- Research on side hustles
Research Papers
- The motivation that can drive people to become entrepreneurs (PDF download)
- Women and VC funding rates (report available via email)
- Small business economic data (PDF download)
Interactive
- Business registration rates over time by geography
