Infographic: Why Are Immigrants More Entrepreneurial?

What do Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Arianna Huffington all have in common? These three are among a number of incredibly successful entrepreneurs that have come from immigrant backgrounds.

Immigrant entrepreneurs

In fact, immigrant accomplishment is far from unusual in the entrepreneurial world, with 18% of America’s most successful companies boasting immigrant roots. This is a staggering statistic given that immigrants only comprise 13% of the total US population. Statistical, historical and anecdotal evidence shows us that not only are immigrants more entrepreneurial, but they are also more likely to succeed in business.

This prompts us to ask what lies behind this strong connection between immigration and entrepreneurship?

A possible answer

It seems that there is something inherently entrepreneurial about leaving your home to start a new life in another country. Having made the move from one country to another means that many immigrants boast a particular set of qualities which can be of enormous benefit when building up a new business.

For one, immigrants tend to be less risk-averse which means that they are, to paraphrase Michael Bloomberg, more likely to see opportunities where others see obstacles. What’s more, immigrants often bring a new, worldview to the table. This allows them to set themselves apart from their competitors. In addition to this, immigrants are more likely to have existing international connections. This tends to somewhat ease the process of worldwide expansion.

The infographic

A new infographic from our friends at Hansen & Company sets out to look at the answer as to why are immigrants more entrepreneurial in depth. It analyses the various factors that give immigrants an entrepreneurial edge. It also shares some of the most inspiring immigrant success stories. These not only contain some great lessons on the importance of drive but also inspire uniqueness and perseverance. Check out the complete infographic below to learn more about immigrants who came to America and found success.