Research on immigrant entrepreneurs consistently shows tremendous economic benefits across the country and across the economic spectrum. Here is a sample of some of the most recent and compelling studies.

The Megaphone of Main Street: Unsung Entrepreneurs

Score, May 2021

One in five entrepreneurs in the United States is a first-generation immigrant. This report also found that immigrant entrepreneurs are more likely to hire employees, even in times of financial hardship.

Getting Schooled: The Role of Universities in Attracting Immigrant Entrepreneurs

National Bureau of Economic Research, May 2021

International students are key drivers of economic growth. This working paper found that immigrants have founded or co-founded more than 20 percent of venture capital-backed startups over the past 30 years. Most of these founders immigrated in pursuit of a better education.

Are voluntary international migrants self-selected for entrepreneurship?

Journal of World Business, February 2021

This study of more than 1,000 students found that immigrants have a higher than average tolerance for risk, which makes them more likely to create businesses and jobs.

Immigration Policy Levers for U.S. Innovation and Startups

Harvard Business School, September 2020

This report analyzes the benefits and accomplishments of immigrant entrepreneurs and outlines methods for policymakers to encourage immigrant entrepreneurship.

Immigration and Entrepreneurship in the United States

National Bureau of Economic Research, September 2020

This study discovered that immigrant-owned firms create 42 percent more jobs than firms started by U.S.-born entrepreneurs.

Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Innovation in the U.S. High-Tech Sector

IZA Institute of Labor Economics, February 2019

This study discovered that immigrant-owned firms in the high-tech sector are consistently more innovative across a range of metrics than firms without an immigrant owner.

Immigrants and Billion-Dollar Companies

National Foundation for American Policy, October 2018

This research found that immigrants have started more than 55 percent of America’s startup companies valued at $1 billion or more and are key members of management or product development teams in more than 80 percent of these companies.

Immigrants as Economic Contributors: Immigrant Entrepreneurs

National Immigration Forum, July 2018

This fact sheet is the fourth of a seven-part series examining the various roles immigrants play in our economy. It highlights research illuminating the role of immigrant entrepreneurs in starting businesses, creating jobs and revitalizing communities.

Immigrant Founders of the 2017 Fortune 500

Center for American Entrepreneurship, December 2017

The Center for American Entrepreneurship has analyzed the 2017 Fortune 500 list and found 43 percent were founded by an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. Further, they discovered that first- or second-generation immigrant founders accounted for 52 percent of the top 25 firms and 57 percent of the top 35 firms.

One Cost of Cutting Back on Less-Skilled Immigration: Potential Business Creation

New American Economy, August 2017

In 2015, there were 2.1 million immigrant entrepreneurs with less than a bachelor’s degree. Their rate of entrepreneurship is actually higher than immigrants with college degrees; 12 percent of immigrants without college degrees, 10.6 percent of immigrants with college degrees, 8.9 percent of U.S.-born are self-employed.

From Struggle to Resilience: The Economic Impact of Refugees in America

New American Economy, June 2017

Refugees contribute meaningfully to our economy as earners and taxpayers, and have an entrepreneurship rate (13 percent of refugees) that outshines even that of other immigrants (11.5 percent of non-refugee immigrants. Refugees show a particular willingness to make long-term investments in the United States. They found companies, earn citizenship, and buy homes at notably high rates.

The 2017 Kauffman Index of Startup Activity

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, May 2017

Immigrants are almost twice as likely as the native-born to become entrepreneurs, with the Rate of New Entrepreneurs being 0.52 percent for immigrants, compared to 0.26 percent for the native-born. The percentage of immigrant entrepreneurs in the United States is on a two-decade high, accounting for almost 30 percent of all new entrepreneurs in the United States, up from 13.3 percent in 1996.