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Russia's entrepreneurial potential stems from vast supplies of natural resources and a well-educated population. Ageev, Gratchev, & Hisrich (1995, p. 375) see Russian entrepreneurship: "on the leading edge of radical economic and political transformation of the society that should lead to new business developments, and improved quality of life . . ." Russian women-well educated and represented in the labor force in large numbers-are positioned to be key contributors to this transformation.

The dramatic worldwide increase in the number of women starting businesses in recent years is reflected in increased research on women and entrepreneurship (Moore, 1999). A growing base of research also focuses on entrepreneurship in economies in transition. This current research informs both bodies of scholarship. Entrepreneurship is examined first, in general and in the context of post-Soviet Russia. This is followed by a discussion of the situation of women as business owners and entrepreneurs. The results of a survey of Russian women business owners are reported and related to key areas of entrepreneurship research.