Barriers to the Participation of Small African American-Owned Technology Firm Entrepreneurs in the Federal Assistive...

The preceding companion Delphi study represented an analysis of HBCU-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research scientists' perspectives on challenges to participating in the United States (U.S.) federal assistive technology- research and development (AT-R&D) ecosystem (i.e., National Science Foundation [NSF], National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [NIDILRR], and National Institutes of Health [NIH]). Here in this companion Delphi study, we analyzed data collected on small African American-owned technology firm entrepreneurs', including those with disabilities, perspectives that can be considered for enhancing self-employment and federal AT-R&D participation. The panelists identified the six most important barriers as limited entrepreneur skill and knowledge development; insufficient investment of and access to capital loans, facilities, and human resources; restrictive historically Black college/university (HBCU) and technology firm collaborations; limited professional networks; evolving labor market/supply demands; and unavailability of capable mentors. Recommendations that can be considered for policy and systems modifications to stimulate the creation of new small AT-R&D businesses and high paying jobs in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) are presented.