A powerful contrarian argument that upends our current understanding of the state of American entrepreneurship It's become an article of faith that American entrepreneurship is in trouble. The problems are many: lack of capital, too few entrepreneurial immigrants, excessive regulation, an aging population, slowing population growth, and rising student debt. But while experts across the country debate the causes and propose solutions, Scott Shane explains that the data just doesn't fit. Dismantling each of the most widely accepted theories in turn, he persuasively demonstrates that-while an evolving market is changing the nature of most startups-entrepreneurship is actually alive and well. Shane reveals how the number of incorporated startups is rising, fewer startups are failing, and the number of businesses without employees is increasing. The overall picture is positive. Exhaustively researched and compellingly told, this book will be read and discussed for years to come.

Scott A. Shane is the A. Malachi Mixon III Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies at the Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University.