The study focused on governmental policy supporting women and immigrant entrepreneurs. The empirical analysis showed that minority business entrepreneurs invested significantly less in their businesses and borrowed less from banks than native Israeli men. The study found that the salient factors that influenced the scope of immigrant businesses' start-up capital were receipt of financial support and engaging in trade. Factors that influenced the scope of start-up capital in women's businesses were receipt of non-financial support and former entrepreneurial experience. Entrepreneurs who received support invested significantly more in their businesses than those who did not. © 2009 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Financing Women Business minorities Enterprise development immigrant entrepreneurship policy

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