The growing complexities of the global economy—and the ways those intricate systems work for or against the formation of new business, large and small—were  addressed by David Lingelbach, associate professor of entrepreneurship, when he served on a panel discussion at the 32^nd Annual National Association of Business Economics Economy Policy Conference in March in Washington, D.C.

Lingelbach was joined by fellow scholars Chris Jackson, research assistant for Small Business Research and Policy at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and Holly Wade, director of Research and Policy Analysis for the NFIB Foundation for a panel entitled “Policies to Promote New Business Formation.”

The conference was held March 6-8 at the Capital Hilton in Washington. Lingelbach said the panel was designed to elucidate policymakers, business experts and market analysts on the links between highly sophisticated global systems and the processes that encourage or discourage the creation of new business. “Policies to promote startups should focus on high-growth firms and deemphasize support for generic startups,” Lingelbach said. “High-growth firms live in vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystems. Public policy can promote these uncommon types of startups by improving their access to finance, helping to fund public-private ‘entrepreneurial enablers’ that promote ecosystems, and, in disadvantaged communities, focusing on more effective public-private collaboration at the local level. At least, that’s what international evidence has suggested so far.”

The NABE Economic Policy Conference is the premier national event addressing issues at the nexus of economics, business, and policy. This year’s theme, “Policy Challenges in an Interconnected World,” explored the tests for political and business leaders as they guide their countries and companies through an increasingly complex maze of global challenges marked by demographic shifts, political change, technological advances, and deeper trade linkages. The event was attended by hundreds of corporate economists, business leaders and top policymakers.

Learn more about Professor Lingelbach.