Midwest survey reveals stark gap in startup support expectations vs. reality

A recent survey has uncovered a striking mismatch between what people expect from their state governments and the support they believe is actually available for new businesses. Conducted in summer 2024, the study also revealed surprising differences in entrepreneurship rates between rural and urban communities across the Midwest.

The Midwest Entrepreneurial Climate Survey was carried out jointly by the University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Nearly 10,000 households received invitations to share their views on starting a business.

Results showed a clear divide in perceptions of government backing. While 40% of respondents felt state governments *should* offer strong support for new ventures, only 11% believed such support was actually in place. The survey did not identify any recent changes or expansions to startup assistance programmes by US states. When asked about reliable sources of help, families ranked highest across both rural and urban areas. The study also found that rural residents were more likely to have owned a business, with entrepreneurship rates 15% higher than in cities.

The findings highlight a significant gap between expected and perceived government support for startups in the Midwest. With no documented updates to state-level assistance, entrepreneurs may continue to rely more on personal networks than public programmes. The data also underscores rural communities as a hotspot for business ownership.