The Sphere Northampton to Reveal Regional "Breaking Barriers" Research on International Women's Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Sphere Northampton to Reveal Regional “Breaking Barriers” Research on International Women’s Day
Liberty Bank–funded study shares new data on the realities facing Western Massachusetts entrepreneurs.
NORTHAMPTON, Mass. — February 27, 2026 — The Sphere Northampton will publicly unveil findings from its regional research study, Breaking Barriers: A Study of Western Mass Entrepreneurs, on March 8, International Women’s Day, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The event is open to the public and will share new, county-level insights into the barriers facing small business owners across Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.
The study focused on all entrepreneurs, but especially on women, gender-expansive, LGBTQ+, BIPOC, immigrant, Spanish-speaking, and rural founders. These are entrepreneurs who are building critical local economies while often navigating structural barriers that traditional business support systems miss.
“This research was about listening at scale,” said Grace Kim, Ed.D., one of the principal investigators for The Sphere Northampton. “We wanted real, current data about what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change, so that our regional ecosystem can act with clarity and coordination.”
Why This Research Matters
Western Massachusetts entrepreneurs are navigating:
- Post-pandemic financial pressures
- A fragmented and difficult-to-navigate resource landscape
- Persistent equity gaps in funding and technical assistance
- Declining and shifting federal and state funding streams
The study replicates key elements of The Sphere’s 2021–2022 MassTech Entrepreneurial Ecosystem research to track trendlines over time, identifying what has improved and where gaps remain.
Findings will inform practical recommendations for municipalities, lenders, economic development agencies, and entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) seeking to better align programs, referrals, and funding with current demand. An additional data dashboard will be available online for further examination and learning.
About the Research Reveal Event
The March 8 event is designed as an interactive, drop-in community forum rather than a formal presentation.
Attendees can expect:
- A professionally designed printed research catalog to take home (as well as a shower executive summary)
- Visual data displays and key findings posters
- Pull quotes from focus groups highlighting lived experiences
- Opportunities to connect with entrepreneurs and community partners
The event is free and open to the public.
Event Details:
March 8
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Sphere Northampton
Florence, Massachusetts
RSVP + more info: https://spherenorthampton.com/event/breaking-barriers-research-reveal/
Regional Collaboration
The study was developed in collaboration with regional partners and researchers, including Dr. Grace Kim of Mapping Insight and Dr. Jackson Matos of Mount Holyoke College. Outreach was supported through the 413 Entrepreneur Spotlight series with Living Local 413 and Common Capital, with host locations spanning Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Berkshire counties.
About Liberty Bank
Established in 1825, Liberty Bank is a mutually owned, full-service financial institution with more than $8.0 billion in assets and 54 retail banking offices across Connecticut and Massachusetts. Liberty offers consumer and commercial banking, cash management, home mortgages, business loans, insurance, and investment services. The bank has been named a Top Workplace by the Hartford Courant since 2012 and received J.D. Power’s award for Best Retail Banking Customer Satisfaction in the New York Tri-State Region in 2025.
About The Sphere Northampton
The Sphere Northampton is a community hub for entrepreneurs and small businesses in Western Massachusetts, offering research, peer learning, technical assistance, and programs that center women and gender-expansive entrepreneurs.
Media Contact:
Megan Allen, Ed.D.
Principal Investigator, The Sphere Northampton
megan@spherenorthampton.com
813-748-1709
spherenorthampton.com
