Article Details
  • Published Online:
    June  2026
  • Product Name:
    The IUP Journal of Entrepreneurship Development
  • Product Type:
    Article
  • Product Code:
    IJED010626
  • DOI:
    10.71329/IUPJED/2026.23.2.5-26
  • Author Name:
    Chivukula Venkata Ramana and Gaurav Ashesh
  • Availability:
    YES
  • Subject/Domain:
    Management
  • Download Format:
    PDF
  • Pages:
    5-26
Volume 23, Issue 2, April-June 2026
Impact of Covid-19 on Entrepreneurial Potential of Nascent Entrepreneurs: Gender-Based Evidence
Abstract

The study adopts a quantitative approach to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the entrepreneurial potential and journey of nascent entrepreneurs, while examining whether the impact varied according to gender (male vs. female) and level of entrepreneurial potential (high vs. low). The study operationalizes the impact of Covid-19 across three dimensions: psychological, physiological, and professional. The key takeaways from the study are threefold. First, psychological factors have a strong impact on nascent entrepreneurs with respect to the development of entrepreneurial potential. Second, support systems and gender equality play an important role in the promotion of entrepreneurship. Third, educators and policymakers need to focus on entrepreneurial readiness, which is important in effectively tackling the challenges faced by nascent entrepreneurs.

Introduction

Businesses across the world have been facing a tough and interconnected set of adversities both at functional and industry level. In the year 2019, a new adversity in the form of Covid-19 emerged across the world that impacted businesses and society at large. The Covid-19 pandemic immensely impacted India on various aspects, and entrepreneurship is not an exception to it. Various groups of individuals associated with entrepreneurship, especially nascent entrepreneurs, faced tough challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. Nascent entrepreneurs are individuals who are actively engaged in the creation of new ventures.