News
News

Georgia among most entrepreneurial states in America

ajc.com
By Fiza Pirani
Oct 14, 2015

Thinking about starting a small business? Don't move. Georgia was recently named one of the top most entrepreneurial states, according to NerdWallet — a personal finance and information service.

The rankings are determined by information analyzed from the U.S. Census Bureau's county business patterns and data on Small Business Administration (SBA) loans.

Of the 50 states, Georgia ranked as the No. 9 most entrepreneurial state with the No. 1 largest average SBA loan in 2014-2015 and the No. 5 highest growth in number of SBA loans from 2012-2015.

Here are the top ten most entrepreneural states in America:

1. Utah

2. Colorado

3. California

4. Connecticut

5. New York

6. Washington

7. Florida

8. Washington, D.C.

9. Georgia

10. Massachusetts

ExploreClick for more details and the complete rankings list of America's most entrepreneurial states.

About the Author

Fiza Pirani is an Atlanta-based freelance writer and editor.

Follow Fiza Pirani on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The SNAP program provided benefits to about 13% of Georgia’s population, 1.4 million people, during the 2024 fiscal year. (Associated Press)

Credit: Sipa USA via AP

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

The state’s error rate during fiscal 2024 was exceeded by only Alaska and the District of Columbia

Gwinnett drops charges against Spanish-language reporter in ICE custody

Misdemeanor charges against journalist Mario Guevara have now been dropped in both Gwinnett and DeKalb counties.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.

The Latest

Friends, Chyna Bradley (from left), Keyvarious Wilson, Timeshia Alexander, pose in line outside Beyonce's Cowboy Carter concert in Atlanta on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Olivia Bowdoin for the AJC).

Credit: Olivia Bowdoin

Rhone: Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Georgia had third-highest SNAP payment error rate in country in 2024

AJC Peachtree Road Race updates: Keep the momentum going

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.