A seat at the table A place for disabled entrepreneurs and innovators

1. Disabled people as entrepreneurs and innovators: framing the policy landscape 2. Empowering disabled entrepreneurs in India: a policy and practice approach 3. Inclusive entrepreneurship: policy, education and opportunities for people living with disabilities in Nigeria 4. Addressing the policy ecosystem: components for successful disabled entrepreneurship in the USA 5. Entrepreneurs in hiding: challenges for entrepreneurs with disabilities in Hungary 6. Harnessing potential: entrepreneurial pathways for disabled individuals in Türkiye 7. Including disabled entrepreneurs and innovators: questions answered and ways forward

Biography

Helen Lawton Smith is Professor of Entrepreneurship at Birkbeck, University of London, London, UK 

Connie L. McNeely is Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA

Jacqueline Winstanley is the Founder and Director of Universal Inclusion and The Inclusive
Entrepreneur Network, Manchester, UK 

Ayşe Seyyide Kaptaner Demirhan is a Project Manager at KCA Consulting, Turkey.

This is a highly recommended book on an issue which has been under-addressed up until now – namely how to release the untapped potential of disabled entrepreneurs and innovators.  The book presents the evidence on barriers to entrepreneurship by people with disabilities and shows how policies can and should react in different national and regional contexts.

Jonathan Potter, Head of Entrepreneurship Policy and Analysis Unit, Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, OECD

The analysis of different approaches and outcomes of the nations studied is invaluable; enabling us through lived experiences to assess what works, and where advances can be made.  Recognising the challenges and offering tangible solutions, we see that disabled entrepreneurs bring a range of positive attributes and perspectives to the business world, enriching it in unique ways. From creative thinking and better design to adaptability and resilience. By highlighting the innovative and inclusive approach disabled entrepreneurs bring to their business and to the wider economy, this book is a significant resource and highly recommended for policy makers and everyone seeking to widen opportunity for disabled entrepreneurs.

Helene Martin Gee, President Savvitas, House of Lords Adviser on Entrepreneurship; NED, Global Entrepreneurship Network UK

This vital work puts the importance of lived experience to developing policy front-and-centre, and shines a spotlight on an issue the financial services sector needs to do more to address. There are a number of valuable – and much-needed – lessons that can be drawn from the real-world examples in this book; putting these lessons into practice can help remove barriers to everyone being able to unleash their inner entrepreneur.

Anna Roughley, Deputy Chief Executive, Lending Standards Board

Creating effective global policies that genuinely recognise and support disabled entrepreneurs isn’t just a nice-to-have -  it’s essential. Disabled entrepreneurs bring creativity, resilience, and a drive to solve problems that others often overlook. When we match their potential with the right resources and support, we’re not only giving them a fair shot; we’re building a world where diverse ideas and perspectives fuel economic growth and social progress. Imagine the untapped innovation we’re missing out on without these voices. It’s time to bridge those gaps and make sure everyone with the talent and drive has the chance to succeed, not just for their own gain but for the benefit of all of us. 

Dr Shani Dhanda,  Inclusion + Accessibility Specialist and Social Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs by their nature are natural problem solvers. It is no coincidence that many come from diverse backgrounds including socio-economic and neurodivergent, overcoming wider life challenges. Entrepreneurs recognise this as enabling superpowers and not limiters. It begs the question therefore, why disabled people are too often held back, often treated as second-class citizens. This book excellently debates these issues.  I hope that once read, it becomes the catalyst to a full debate on how we equalise opportunities for all.

Mark Huxley, Master, The Company of Entrepreneurs