Using unique Swedish longitudinal full-population data and logistic regression, this paper explores whether start-ups of foreign born female heath care workers are structurally (ie comparatively higher unemployment and lower wages) or culturally (defined as country of birth) motivated. While structural factors are significantly related to female entrepreneurship regardless of origin, no additional effect is found whether for foreign born more broadly defined, or when adding specific country of birth. Thus, we conclude that structural disadvantage motives, based on gender rather than ethnicity, dominate over possible cultural motives for entrepreneurship.