A recent study revealed the state of entrepreneurship among youth (18-34) in Alberta and across the Prairies. As part of the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, The Centre for Innovation Studies hosted an online presentation with Mount Royal University. Some trends from Alberta’s youth entrepreneurs during 2019-2023:Drop in a perceived view of ease in starting a business (7.2%)Fear of failure dropped 3.3% in Alberta while overall in Canada it increased 6.4%Alberta led the country in percentage of businesses owned by youth (41.6%) which was up by 12.7% during that period.Reasons for starting a business shifted. Over 75% want to build great wealth (increase of 8.3% in Alberta, 9.2% in Saskatchewan, and 13.7% in Manitoba) While the desire to make a difference in the world dropped 3.2% in Alberta to 66.4% (down 7.2% in Saskatchewan and 7.1% across Canada)Although there’s a sense among youth that it’s getting harder to start a business, the study shows that more young people are educating themselves on the idea. Coming out of the COVID era with uncertainty of their economic future may have contributed to this shift away from making a difference in the world to building personal wealth. But fewer Alberta youth are starting a business to earn a living because jobs are scarce than they did in 2019 (68.5% down from 73.4%). Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Canada overall recorded increases.To learn more about youth entrepreneurship in the Prairies or to request a copy of the report, contact Gary at Flourish Alberta