Educational systems and attitudes towards risk-taking and individualism are a major influence in spurring entrepreneurship. However, governments also play a role in fostering start-ups. They can ease regulatory burdens, stimulate venture capital supply, remove fiscal biases, strengthen secondary stock markets, and reform bankruptcy rules. Governments can also nurture small enterprises to help them survive. Disseminating information and technology, encouraging training and organisational change as well as assisting in globalisation efforts can help address barriers to small-firm development.
Entrepreneurs are increasingly women.
Female start-up rates are outpacing the national average in several OECD countries. Women entrepreneurs are creating new business niches, but continue to face special barriers to enterprise creation and development.