STARTING A BUSINESS

What percentage of America's entrepreneurs are "ethnic"?

According to researchers at the Kauffman Foundation, 39.8% of the approximately 11.5 million entrepreneurs in the United States are not Caucasian, and 22.9% are classified as Latino.

How many new businesses are created every month in the United States?

According to reporters at Forbes, citing recent research published by the Kauffman Foundation, 320 new businesses per 100,000 people start each month in the United States. This equals approximately 543,000 new businesses created each month, or more than 6.52 million businesses per year.

How many entrepreneurs exist in the United States?

The same researchers at Forbes, citing "multiple estimates," approximate the number of U.S. entrepreneurs at 11.5 million, with male entrepreneurs outnumbering their female counterparts two to one.

Who are these business creators?

According to researchers and experts interviewed by Forbes, 25% of all entrepreneurs are age 20-34, but surprisingly, more than 35% of all entrepreneurs are age 55-64. The report asserts that from 1996 to 2007, Americans age 55-64 created more new businesses than any other age group, and 33% more businesses than the 20-34 age group.

Why do so many older Americans start businesses?

The Kauffman Foundation, in a landmark study on understanding entrepreneurship, believes older Americans are starting companies in record numbers because their life expectancies continue to increase; they are working fewer years for an employer; they live healthier, longer lives; they can afford to create a company; and they encounter fewer barriers to enter a given business market.

How old are people who typically start technology-related companies?

Kauffman Foundation researchers discovered the average age of people starting technology companies in the United States is 39, with twice as many people over age 50, as under age 25.

Older Americans are starting new businesses in record numbers these days. Some reasons include the fact that people are living longer, and older people tend to have more money available to invest; they are therefore able to be productive longer.