Entrepreneurship Post-C19: Gender and Fnancing Abroad

Abstract

Purpose. This study follows the trajectory in the United States and India of 35 entrepreneurs with similar backgrounds in India.  It controls for irrelevant-to-this-study factors that impact financing and entrepreneurial paths, and sheds light into the at-times contradictory gender findings in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach. The study is based on interviews with upper-middle class entrepreneurs from business-oriented Mumbai-Maharashtra, India.  Out of the 35 highly educated entrepreneurs, one third are women, 21 have educational experience in the U.S. and 16 live in the U.S.  This controlled setting is particularly fitting to examine gender effects and offer suggestions for the digitally led C-19 recovery.  Indian immigrants have founded about a third of U.S. startups, besides more engineering and technology firms than immigrants born in the next nine immigrant-founder countries combined.

Findings. Both in India and U.S., and despite similar backgrounds, education, no dependents, and similar or more advantageous immigration status in U.S., women entrepreneurs start their businesses later, lack collateral and equity partners, and borrow less. 

Practical implications. The findings highlight the potential for debt and equity crowdfunding as well as other fintech services to enhance opportunities for women entrepreneurs. 

Originality. This is the first study of gender and financing entrepreneurship in an intercontinental controlled environment.  The setting enables an enhanced focus on gender and financing, a priority for academics, practitioners, and policy makers.