Policy Brief on Access to Business Start-up Finance for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (11/03/2014)

This policy brief was produced by the OECD and the European Commission to explore barriers in access to finance by social groups who are disadvantaged or under-represented in entrepreneurship and to describe policies which can address these barriers. It presents data on the extent to which entrepreneurs from disadvantaged groups obtain external finance. It then sets out the traditional policy instruments of grants and soft loans together with newer and emerging policies such as loan guarantees, microcredit, crowdfunding, business angels and Islamic finance. In addition to supply-side instruments, the role of financial education is also explained. Finally, the brief gives a number of examples of policy approaches that have been successful in European Union Member States. This brochure is available online in English, German and French.

http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=738&langId=en&pubId=7693&type=2&furtherPubs=yes