New data reveals where rural entrepreneurship is growing

Entrepreneurship is a major driver of innovation, job creation, and long-term economic resilience across rural America. To better understand where that momentum is building, the Capital One Insights Center partnered with the Center for Rural Innovation (CORI) to launch the Rural Entrepreneurship Index. 

The Index combines data on business formation, self-employment and innovation to show where rural economic activity is accelerating and what factors are shaping local growth. By analyzing these indicators together, the Index offers a clear, evidence-based view of how rural economies are evolving over time.

“Rural economies are powered by people building livelihoods locally and by small businesses responding to community needs,” said Shena Ashley, President of the Capital One Insights Center. “This Index brings greater visibility to entrepreneurial activity, helping communities and partners understand what’s working and where momentum is emerging.”

The launch of the Rural Entrepreneurship Index reflects Capital One’s broader strategy to advancing economic opportunity through its five-year, $265 billion Community Benefits Plan, which includes increased access to credit for small businesses in rural and low-to-moderate-income communities, strengthening community development financial institutions, and investing in local economic infrastructure.

“Entrepreneurship is key to a healthy, dynamic economy in rural America. What’s been missing is a clear way to see that activity at scale. Through this partnership with the Capital One Insights Center, Rural Entrepreneurship Index gives communities and investors the data they need to recognize – and accelerate – the innovation already happening across Rural America. Better visibility leads to smarter decisions that strengthen local economies,” said Matt Dunne, Founder and CEO of CORI.

Capital One serves millions of customers in rural communities across the country, including hundreds of thousands of rural-based small businesses. Through its partnership with CORI, the Insights Center is pairing its reach with rigorous, accessible data to help communities, investors, and policymakers better understand where rural entrepreneurship is growing and what’s driving it. Over the coming months, we will continue to share insights from the Index – available at https://entrepreneurship-index-map.ruralinnovation.us/.