Moreover, a small number of firms in every jurisdiction
are outsized contributors to economic growth and
job creation (see Chart 2). Studies vary in their findings
about the size and the age of these businesses. Nevertheless
there is clear evidence that successful startups are an
important source of jobs. For example, research by the
Kaufman Foundation shows that young businesses generate
a disproportionate share of new jobs. The U.S. Small
Business Administration and others show that it is high impact
“gazelles” that account for the largest share of job
growth. Google and Facebook are well-known as outsize contributors to job growth, while in Maryland, industry
leaders like Under Armour and Source fire are playing a
similar role, adding jobs at a rate of 30 percent a year.