The New Generation of Entrepreneurs

According to a recent study by the Kauffman Foundation, a Kansas City, Mo., organization devoted to supporting entrepreneurship, “Rather than making history for its deep recession and record unemployment, 2009 might instead be remembered as the year business startups reached their highest level in 14 years — even exceeding the number of startups during the peak 1999-2000 technology boom.”

“Young people are keenly aware of the recent economic downturn, and have seen parents, relatives or friends lose their jobs,” says Alice Horn, executive director of the South Florida chapter of Network for Teaching Entrepreneurs. “They understand they cannot count on the same job — or even the same career — for an extended period in the future. For growing numbers, this means ‘making their own job’ as entrepreneurs.”

Although the highest spike in startup rates was among people ages 35-44, many young people are also turning toward owning their own businesses as an alternative to finding a full-time, entry-level job.

Read more by Kaitlin Madden, Careerbuilder.com writer, on three young entrepreneurs