"These insights led to the funding of $18M in Gilbert towards business recovery."

Venture Forward is a research initiative that quantifies the impact of 20 million online microbusinesses have on their local economies. Providing a unique view into the attitudes, demographics, and needs of entrepreneurs.

This is Where Microbusinesses Stand

This is Where We Stand

When the world threatened to shut down, entrepreneurs stood up. 2.8 million more businesses were created in 2020 than the previous year. Over the last two years, entrepreneurs have adapted and persevered, whether it’s pivoting an existing business to navigate the ever-changing landscape, or creating a new successful venture among the chaos.

This is Where We Stand is the first video content series from Venture Forward that follows the journey of four microbusinesses to see how they’ve built a better future for themselves and their communities. These businesses are a part of a rapidly growing movement of over 20 million microbusinesses that, as the Venture Forward data GoDaddy has collected shows, are having a substantial impact on the economy and their communities. See their story of how they remained resilient during the pandemic in their own words.

Entrepreneur Spotlight Series This Is Where We Stand

Online microbusinesses increase incomes and create jobs.

Household median income gains

$485

For each new active microbusiness/100 people

New jobs added

+2

By each everyday entrepreneur in a community

Opening the doors to your new business

Everyday entrepreneurs are as diverse as this country

About half of these microbusinesses are solo efforts and the majority have fewer than 10 employees

Microbusinesses bringing community together during COVID

Cities can boost their economies by promoting microbusinesses

Local officials in Denison, Texas have used our data to craft policies that support entrepreneurs

How does your community stack up?

Average U.S. City

2.2

Microbusinesses per 100 people

Average U.S. County

3.1

Microbusinesses per 100 people

Microbusiness Density

0 to 2.9
3.0 to 4.9
5.0 to 7.9
8+

Online microbusinesses increase incomes and create jobs.

Household median income gains

$485

For each new active microbusiness/100 people

New jobs added

+2

By each everyday entrepreneur in a community

Opening the doors to your new business

Everyday entrepreneurs are as diverse as this country

About half of these microbusinesses are solo efforts and the majority have fewer than 10 employees

Microbusinesses bringing community together during COVID

Cities can boost their economies by promoting microbusinesses

Local officials in Denison, Texas have used our data to craft policies that support entrepreneurs

How does your community stack up?

Average U.S. City

2.2

Microbusinesses per 100 people

Average U.S. County

3.1

Microbusinesses per 100 people

Microbusiness Density

0 to 2.9
3.0 to 4.9
5.0 to 7.9
8+

Microbusiness Density

  • 0 to 2.9
  • 3.0 to 4.9
  • 5.0 to 7.9
  • 8+

A closer look at microbusinesses

They’re the people who build websites, run restaurants, and offer classes online. But their impact has largely gone unnoticed. Our mission is to change that. We use data to show policy makers how microbusinesses make communities more prosperous and resilient.

Data Highlight

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Data Highlight
Two COVID-era tales of renewal in Miami

Two COVID-era tales of renewal in Miami

These aspiring women entrepreneurs found purpose and potential by starting new online businesses

Profile of a Microbusiness

  • Less than 10 employees
    96%
  • Conducts business both online and brick + mortar
    1 in 2
  • Provides main or supplemental income
    66%
  • Earn $4,000+ in monthly gross income
    25%
  • Started in March 2020 or later
    17%
From struggling single mother to successful entrepreneur

From struggling single mother to successful entrepreneur

How skills training and a microloan helped one woman thrive through the pandemic

Data Highlight

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Data Highlight
Venture Forward opened our eyes to just how big of a venture market we have in Gilbert…That ultimately led to the funding of $18 million worth of business recovery funds. Dan Henderson
Dan Henderson
Director of the Office of Economic Development, Gilbert, AZ