Relevant factors affecting nascent entrepreneurial activity in Chile and Spain: an analysis of the impact of the COVID-19

The goal of this research is to identify the internal and external factors that influence nascent entrepreneurial activity in Chile and Spain, with emphasis on the impact caused by the economic crisis originated by the COVID-19. We also analyse whether this crisis affected senior entrepreneurship. We used two samples of 16,436 and 27,065 individuals from Chile and Spain, respectively, in 2019-2020, obtained from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor's Adult Population Survey (APS) which allows us to know what happened during the first moments of the pandemic. A logistic regression model was performed, establishing a causal relationship between the factors and the rate of nascent entrepreneurs. This research shows that this economic crisis negatively affected nascent entrepreneurial activity in both countries. However, nascent senior entrepreneurs have not been affected in Chile, while in Spain their activity increased. Our results may help governments to better understand the factors that influence nascent entrepreneurs and the impact of the economic crisis on them.