Answer: Great infographic from How Much? shows the percentage of jobs in a market created by start-up companies (defined as “as businesses that began operating in a particular year. There is no prior business activity associated with the startups.”). The bigger the circle, the higher the percentage of jobs that come from start-ups. 

Here’s the graphic:

Questions:

• How vibrant is the start-up environment in your community? How would you find out this information?
• Do you know anyone who has started a business locally? What type of business?
• What factors do you think influence whether new companies start-up in your community?
• Conduct a WebQuest to find out why Midland, Texas (or another city highlighted on the map) has the highest percentage of employment coming from start-ups in 2014. What types of businesses were started at that time?
• This data is from 2014. What changes in the economy have occurred since then that may impact the employment picture for start-ups?

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Be sure to check out the new NGPF Entrepreneurship Lesson and help your students figure out how to start their own business!

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.