1. 1
Overview of Re-entry and
Entrepreneurship research
Regulatory barriersfor returning citizensentering entrepreneurship stillexist
Examples of barriers:
● requirement of a ID to obtain a license (which is difficult to get for those who have
recently returning). 29 percent of jobs require a government-issued license.1
● ineligible/additional wait-time for certain licensesor participation in certain
industries (i.e. a license to growmarijuana has a wait time of 5 yearsif you have a
misdemeanor or 10 years for a felony). 2
● background checks for nonprofits that may slow down their entrepreneurial
pursuits.3
Structure of the fund
No other states have created a fund without specifying if it is a loan or grant or
investment fund;most states operate a revolving loan fund; somestates offer a
revolving loan fund.
Lessonsfrom NYIncarcerationto Incorporationprogram; hasrecidivism rate of less
than 5%
Defy Ventures ( nonprofit incubator for those with convictions) has produced industry-
1
http://www.kauffman.org/~/media/kauffman_org/resources/2014/entrepreneurship%20policy%20digest/de
cember%202014/entrepreneurship_policy_digest_occupational_licensing_december_2014.pdf
2
http://lims.dccouncil.us/Download/29622/B20-0466-INTRODUCTION.pdf
3
http://www.washlaw.org/pdf/wlc_collateral_consequences_report.pdf

2. 2
leading results,including recidivism rates of less than 5%, and employment rates of
95%+. It costs 1.2 million per yearto run the program.4
They have served 700+ people
with criminal histories - 3% recidivism - 95% employment rate - 112 incubated/financed
startups (founded by those in their program) that created 200+ jobs, 3,000+ executive
volunteers who have donated 13,000+ hours to mentor/coach - Over $8 million in private
funding from individualsand foundations. Their organization has years of competency
in this area; their executive director funded and ran the Prison Entrepreneurship in
partnership with the texasprison. 5
Stipends
Defy Ventures does not provide a stipend because theirparticipants are working part-
time as well; there must be some kind of earn & learn or work & learn element to this bill
in order to produce intended recidivism goals. 6
DETROITexample: How to help new entrepreneursnavigate landscape
The BizGrid features scores of Detroit-focused organizations offering
services that range from business planning and strategy to real estate
assistance, funding, co-working space, and beyond. It’s available in two
formats: Directory
This interactive tool helps you chart a personalized course to discover
the organizations that can best assist you. Return to it often as your
4
http://pdfs.citizenaudit.org/2014_11_EO/27-3611908_990_201312.pdf
5
https://www.guidestar.org/report/chartingimpact/655055651/defy-ventures.pdf. Defy Ventures
has equipped nearly 700 people with criminal histories across 11 states (majority in California
and New York) to become legal entrepreneurs, successful employees, and engaged family
members. Defy has also engaged 500+ family members and 3,000+ volunteers who have donated
13,000+ hours to coaching EITs. Catherine has 11+ years of experience designing and leading two
social entrepreneurship organizations, Defy Ventures and its predecessor organization, Prison
Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), a statewide program in Texas dedicated to entrepreneurship,
job placement, character development, and recidivism reduction for male inmates inside prison.
Defy and PEP have produced industry-leading results, including recidivism rates of less than 5%,
and employment rates of 95%+.
6
http://defyventures.org/faq/

3. 3
PA Example: oninclusive entreprenuership
The City of Pittsburgh has launched the “Pittsburgh Roadmap for Inclusive Innovation,” a strategic plan that will
support equitable access to technology, City resources, and information. Championed by Mayor William Peduto’s
Department of Innovation and Performance and the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh,the Roadmap for
Inclusive Innovation is a strategic plan aimed to improve the quality of lifefor all residents. The Roadmap
encompasses more than 100 projects and initiatives the City of Pittsburgh will undertake in the coming months and
years.7
VERIFICATION
7
http://pittsburghpa.gov/innovation-performance/innovationroadmap/documents/Pittsburgh-
Roadmap-for-Inclusive-Innovation.pdf