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What is the "U.S. Entrepreneurs' Rise to the Top" Study?

The study "U.S. Entrepreneurs' Rise to the Top" is an academic survey study being conducted by social scientists at Florida International University (FIU) in conjunction with FIU's Center for Leadership, Center for Entrepreneurship, and funded by the Kauffman Foundation. The lead researcher for this study is Dr. Eaton. If you have any questions about the study you can contact Dr. Eaton at: entrepreneurstudy@fiu.edu, 305-348-2764, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., DM 445, Miami, FL 33199.

This study examines the challenges, behaviors, and characteristics of a sample of established male and female entrepreneurs across the U.S. to determine the underlying causes for differences in business size and expansion. Better understanding the different paths and stumbling blocks of entrepreneurs and their potentially different approaches to business health and growth will enable the creation of interventions and solutions for those who want to expand their businesses.

Who gets to participate in the "U.S. Entrepreneurs' Rise to the Top" Study?

Businesses registered with their state, the Better Business Bureau, and other agencies were selected based on business location and estimated annual revenue to get a wide sampling of the scope and diversity of businesses in the U.S. We want to hear from business owners of all types and from all industries. How long does it take to participate in this study? The "U.S. Entrepreneurs' Rise to the Top" Study has been shown to take about 10 minutes on average to complete in full.

Who gets to see my survey responses?

The records of this study will be kept private and will be protected to the fullest extent provided by law. In any sort of report we might publish, we will not include any information that will make it possible to identify a participant or his/her business or his/her employees. Research records will be stored securely and only the researcher team will have access to the records. None of the data collected will be shared with anyone other than the FIU academic research team.

partnerinresearchseal

What is the benefit of participating in this study?

If you participate in this survey we will proudly award you our 2011 Florida International University (FIU) Partner in Research Seal, which you may display on your company website or elsewhere you see fit. This seal certifies you as a partner in research with FIU for this year, and a link in the seal will bring interested parties to this website, where they can learn about the valuable research we are conducting and how you helped to make it possible. Survey results will be posted by January 2012 in aggregate form so that individual responses cannot be identified.