Rural Startups in an Emerging Market

Abstract

This study investigates factors that constrain the development of rural startups in the Ugandan rural entrepreneurial ecosystem in light of the importance of entrepreneurship in reducing poverty worldwide. Based on a review of the literature on entrepreneurial ecosystems, necessity, and opportunity entrepreneurship plus a range of theoretical approaches, the study demonstrates that the characteristics of the rural population, the social cultural context, and the lack of physical infrastructure greatly constrain the start and growth of rural startups. Recommendations as to what should be done to promote rural startups are proposed.