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High-Tech Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • David M. Hart

    (George Mason University, Arlington VA, USA, dhart@gmu.edu)

  • Zoltan J. Acs

    (George Mason University, Arlington VA, USA)

Abstract

This article reports the results of a national survey that estimates the rate of immigrant entrepreneurship in a representative sample of high-impact firms in high-technology industries in the United States. The authors report key descriptive statistics about the companies and their founders. About 16% of the companies in the sample, for instance, number at least one immigrant entrepreneur among their founding teams, while about 77% of the immigrant entrepreneurs are U.S. citizens. Three multivariate analyses are carried out that compare high-impact, high-tech firms that count at least one immigrant in their founding teams with those that were founded by native-born entrepreneurs. It is found that the two groups of firms are similar with respect to economic and technological performance. Immigrant-founded firms are more likely to report that they have a strategic relationship with a foreign firm. The authors conclude by briefly considering the potential implications of their findings for immigration and economic development policy.

Suggested Citation

  • David M. Hart & Zoltan J. Acs, 2011. "High-Tech Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the United States," Economic Development Quarterly, , vol. 25(2), pages 116-129, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecdequ:v:25:y:2011:i:2:p:116-129
    DOI: 10.1177/0891242410394336
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    References listed on IDEAS

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