The entrepreneurial spirit is deep in our DNA.

New businesses create almost all net new jobs in the United States. Entrepreneurs create stronger communities, grow GDP, create homegrown jobs, increase community wealth, diversity goods and services, increase lifetime incomes, and fight inequality and poverty. Right to Start’s recent bipartisan poll revealed that 94% of voters – nearly unanimously across party lines – say “it’s important to America’s future” that citizens have a fair opportunity to start and grow their own businesses.

Yet, entrepreneurs — their needs and struggles — are ignored in American life, especially in policymaking. The system makes it harder on them to start and grow. 92% of voters say that starting a new business today is difficult or very difficult. This has contributed to a startup slump for decades in America since the 1970’s. Survey data from the Kauffman Foundation shows that entrepreneurs are left out. 81% of entrepreneurs says that government favors big businesses over them. 69% say government doesn’t care about them at all.

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What is a Right to Start Act?

A Right to Start Act in your state benefits everyone by expanding entrepreneurial opportunity for all. Entrepreneurs are critical to a state’s economic growth, and a Right to Start Act removes obstacles that hinder people from starting and growing their businesses.

A Right to Start Act:

  • removes barriers and streamline processes to starting a business,

  • advances homegrown job creation, and

  • builds a stronger connection between entrepreneurs and state government

Bipartisan Momentum Is Growing Behind Right to Start Recommendations Across the Nation

Entrepreneurship has proven to be a point of common ground and unity for Americans. Right to Start has engaged stakeholders across party lines and in all 50 states. Right to Start Acts have been introduced in 15 state legislatures, and five states have taken action to implement Right to Start’s policy recommendations.

Nevada made history by becoming the first state in the nation to enact a Right to Start Act (AB77) that included policy recommendations by Right to Start. The Nevada Right to Start Act passed with broad bipartisan leadership and support in both houses of the Legislature, especially from Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager, who sponsored the bill, and Governor Joe Lombardo, who signed it into law.

The Act established a statewide Office of Entrepreneurship to work with stakeholders and organizations supporting entrepreneurship in Nevada and also enhance the skills of entrepreneurs and the business environment in which they operate. It will report annually on key indicators and metrics for new and young companies, such as state government contracts obtained, demographic and regional data, and recommendations for improving overall entrepreneurship in the state.

In July 2024, Missouri Governor Mike Parson signed the Right to Start Act (SB 894 & 825) into law. The legislation passed in the Missouri House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, winning votes of 117-7 in the House and 31-1 in the Senate.

This landmark legislation aims to significantly boost entrepreneurship in the state. Key features of the Missouri Right to Start Act include the creation of an Office of Entrepreneurship, support for Missouri-based businesses with fewer than 10 employees, and annual reports by the Commissioner of Administration to improve resources for young businesses, including those owned by women, and veterans, and members of racial minority groups.

Inspired by Nevada, New Mexico established an Office of Entrepreneurship through executive department action last fall, “furthering the department’s mission of improving the lives of New Mexico families by increasing economic opportunity, building wealth, and providing a place for businesses to thrive.”

The Office serves and connects all New Mexico entrepreneurs, coordinating with support organizations and incubators as well as providing guidance on resources and funding opportunities. Right to Start is working with state leadership to support the new Office.

In addition, the Kansas Department of Commerce created a position of Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship by executive department action this spring. The new role is designed to support small businesses and entrepreneurs throughout the Sunflower State.

Specifically, the position focuses on developing partnerships with key stakeholders, researching and identifying resources, and collaborating with essential partners to create a thriving business environment for all Kansan entrepreneurs. Right to Start is collaborating with state leadership to support the new position.

In May 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Ben Marchionna as Michigan’s first-ever Chief Innovation Ecosystem Officer, a role inspired by Right to Start’s recommendations.

This groundbreaking position serves as the first point of contact for all Michigander entrepreneurs and will focus on establishing Michigan as a supportive network for innovators and entrepreneurs, ensuring that they have a dedicated advocate within the state government. These efforts will foster collaboration and propel Michigan forward as a hub for entrepreneurial growth.