Bluevine8 in 10 prospective business owners say now is a good time to start a business2025 has delivered mixed economic signals—some optimism, plenty of caution—but among Americans, the itch to start a business has not gone away. Key takeaways78.9% of respondents say now is a good time to start a business, yet even among the optimists, 47.9% still rank economic uncertainty in their top three concerns. Advanced degree holders show a 23-point edge in strong interest for starting a business (69.8%), compared to nondegree holders (46.8%). The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Formation Statistics show 470,571 seasonally adjusted business applications in July 2025 (+2.6% month over month). Cost of coverage is the next obstacle, as 37.9% of our respondents say affordable health insurance for the self-employed would make starting feasible.