Recent Statewide Survey Reveals Optimism Among Emerging Entrepreneurs and Highlights Growth Opportunities
Category : Features
Posted on: October 17, 2011
Results from the 2011 Illinois Entrepreneurial Survey show a sense of optimism among Chicago's emerging innovation ecosystem as entrepreneurs seek to develop and expand their businesses. Built in Chicago, the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center, the Chicago Innovation Awards, the Illinois Science & Technology Coalition, the Illinois Technology Association, Startup Illinois, and World Business Chicago joined forces on the survey, which was developed to gauge the entrepreneurial landscape in Chicago and Illinois.
The survey targeted leaders of active entrepreneurial ventures and was conducted from a diverse range of industries, from software to education and healthcare. Notably, nearly 80 percent of survey respondents founded their business in the past five years, highlighting the growing community of talent and leadership in Illinois.
The survey showed that Illinois entrepreneurs have taken advantage of available support to secure mentors and learning opportunities. The majority (95 of 107) of businesses founded in the past five years indicated that they have tapped services and support from numerous resources, including entrepreneurial organizations, colleges and universities, and innovation competitions sponsored by universities and other parties. EnterpriseWorks at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was one of the resources cited.
Please visit the synopsis of the survey provided by the Illinois Innovation Network.