An Evaluation of Structural Gaps and Systemic Barriers in the Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

Authors

Iryna V. Lendel, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment ResearchFollow
Chloe Wieber, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
Molly Schnoke, Cleveland State University

Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0436-1618

Series

Upjohn Institute Technical Report No. 26-055

DOI

10.17848/tr26-055

Issue Date

January 2026

Abstract

This comprehensive study of Dayton, Ohio’s minority entrepreneurial ecosystem was supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Based on a multi-year research effort and in-depth interviews with business support organizations (BSOs) and ecosystem stakeholders, the study examines how Dayton’s extensive network of entrepreneurial services supports minority and underrepresented entrepreneurs, identifies persistent gaps, and documents how the ecosystem has evolved amid COVID-19 disruptions, declining federal funding, and shifting approaches to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The study highlights strengths such as well-built early-stage support and collaborative service networks, alongside challenges including limited later-stage business assistance, fragmented entry points, misaligned performance metrics, and changing program visibility for minority entrepreneurs. It also documents recent initiatives—most notably the launch of the Innovative Business Resource Opportunity Center (IBROC)—aimed at improving coordination and navigation across the ecosystem. Together, the findings and recommendations provide actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers seeking to strengthen inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystems in midsize U.S. cities.

Sponsorship

Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation

Subject Areas

LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Entrepreneurship and innovation; Regional collaboration