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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/11375/32057
Title: Gendered Participation Patterns in a Business Incubator Program: Theoretical Explanations from the Literature
Authors: Karaceper, Senem
Mappanasingam, Anittha
Kwon, Angela
Frank, Fayth
Saha, Maureen
Keywords: Hamilton, community-engaged research, business incubation, gendered participation in business incubation, social capital theory, institutional theory, attachment theory, self-efficacy theory, accelerator, intersectionality
Publication Date: May-2025
Publisher: Prepared by the McMaster Research Shop for BLK Owned
Abstract: This literature review explores some theoretical explanations for gendered participation patterns in business incubator programs. Business incubators, as defined in this report, are organizations or programs designed to support early-stage businesses and entrepreneurs through the often-difficult startup phase. The context of this literature arises from the participation patterns observed in BLK Owned’s business incubator program, known as the Trailblazer Program. The Trailblazer Program supports early-stage Black entrepreneurs by providing necessary supports such as skills development, mentorship and community connections. In this program, BLK Owned experiences an estimated 80% female and a 20% male participation rate. This participation rate is significant because in 2018, Statistics Canada observed that “70.4% of Black business owners are men, and 29.6% are women." This research, with a particular focus on women, provides insight into theoretical understandings behind why certain populations are likely to participate in business incubator programs.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/11375/32057
Appears in Collections:Reports

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