New Fact Sheet: The Economic Impact and Untapped Potential of Disability-Owned Businesses + Panel Discussion on Tuesday, July 22

In celebration of Disability Pride Month, AEO is proud to release our 2025 Disability-Owned Business Fact Sheet — the first national estimates of disability-owned businesses using data from the Entrepreneurship in the Population (EPOP) 2024 survey by NORC at the University of Chicago. Unlike traditional federal data sources that don’t include information on disability status for nonemployer businesses (which make up more than 80% of all businesses), EPOP is designed to capture the full scale and nuance of entrepreneurship — including for people with disabilities.

What this new data reveals is striking: there are an estimated 9.4 million entrepreneurs with disabilities across the U.S., representing 28% of all business owners and generating nearly half a trillion dollars in annual sales. People with disabilities are 1.3 times more likely to start businesses than those without disabilities, and when they do, they are more likely to hire W-2 employees, twice as likely to leverage generative AI, and deeply committed to mission and community impact. Yet entrepreneurs with disabilities continue to face deep gaps in health coverage, financing, and support.

Why it matters

Entrepreneurs with disabilities don’t just build businesses — they create jobs, drive local economies, and shape more inclusive communities. But without equitable access to capital, health coverage, and essential support, too many face avoidable barriers that stifle growth and innovation. This new data gives us more comprehensive insights to better support these business owners and build an economy that truly works for everyone.

Join us for a national webinar

We invite you to join us on July 22 for our national webinar, “From Access to Ownership: Building a Disability-Inclusive Future for Small Business,” to explore these findings and discuss strategies for building a more accessible ecosystem for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Part of AEO’s Equity and Opportunity for All webinar series, this session will bring together leading experts, entrepreneurs, and advocates to explore how we can remove barriers and create a truly inclusive small business ecosystem.

Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 | Time: 3-4 PM EST / 12-1 PM PST | Location: Zoom (RSVP here)

Speakers Include: