Talkonomics #8: Universal Basic Income in an Entrepreneurial Economy

​How does Universal Basic Income shape entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and innovation?

​As debates around Universal Basic Income (UBI) intensify worldwide, policymakers and economists continue to ask whether guaranteed income encourages creativity and productive risk-taking; dampens or incentives innovation. Understanding UBI’s role within a modern economic system is critical for students, entrepreneurs, and future policymakers alike.

​This Talkonomics session will explore the theoretical foundations and emerging empirical evidence on UBI, with a focus on its effects on entrepreneurship, labour market behaviour, and innovation 📊💡. Dr. Hashmi will unpack how UBI interacts with incentives, uncertainty, and economic security, drawing on both economic theory and real-world policy experiments.

​The talk will be followed by a student-driven Q&A, offering participants the opportunity to critically engage with the evidence and ask big-picture policy questions 🎓🤝.

​Free food and drinks will be provided 🍕🥤

​Participants will explore:

• ​How UBI affects risk-taking and entrepreneurial entry

• ​The trade-offs between income security and work incentives

• ​What empirical studies reveal about innovation under UBI-style programs

• ​Policy implications for designing effective income support systems

​📅 Thursday, April 9th
📍 Schulich School of Engineering: ENG 224
🎓 Hosted by the Society of Undergraduates in Economics (SUE)