The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
As the Global Entrepreneurship Summit begins in Silicon Valley this week, new announcements to support inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation here in the United States
(Photo Credit: White House/Pete Souza)
On Friday, President Obama will speak at the 7th annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), bringing together over 700 entrepreneurs from every corner of the globe—and from all across America. Entrepreneurship is a fundamental American value, and it is also a force that has the ability to unlock opportunity for people globally. GES is a reflection of the U.S. Government’s commitment to utilizing entrepreneurship as a foundational tool to build more economically prosperous, secure, and globally connected communities around the world.
With the eyes of the world on Silicon Valley, yesterday the Obama Administration announced new commitments to advance inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation here at home. These announcements build on a week where the Administration has highlighted a powerful record of progress in fueling American innovation over the last seven and a half years and announced major new steps to build on those efforts—including supporting advanced manufacturing and making, publishing a new rule to enable non-recreational use of unmanned aircraft, and supporting next-generation technologies.
As part of these announcements, the Small Business Administration announced major expansion of the Startup in a Day initiative to nearly 100 U.S. cities and communities. This effort helps streamline licensing, permitting, and other requirements needed to start a business in their community, with the goal of enabling entrepreneurs to apply for everything necessary to begin within 24 hours.
Three Federal agencies announced adoption of new expansions of the National Science Foundation’s Innovation Corps (I-Corps) entrepreneurship-training program. Over 800 teams have completed the curriculum, from more than 190 universities in 44 states, resulting in the creation of over 320 companies.
And, over 30 companies joined a new, industry-led Tech Inclusion Pledge. As part of the pledge and in response to the President’s call to action, these companies are committing to take concrete action to make the technology workforce at each of their companies more representative of the American people. In addition, to facilitate additional pledge commitments and help companies meet those commitments, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and CODE2040 launched a website with free research-based implementation resources. To view the full Tech Inclusion Pledge, click HERE.
America’s spirit of innovation is a major reason why the U.S. economy is the strongest and most durable in the world, and it has inspired admiration from across the globe for generations. Since the beginning of his Administration, President Obama has worked to strengthen our innovation advantage—through investments and reforms to drive technological and scientific breakthroughs that will power our economy and further enhance America’s leadership in the industries of the future.
Read about all of the announcements being made here.
Yesterday’s announcements build on the first-ever White House Demo Day, held in August 2015, which focused on inclusive entrepreneurship and welcomed startup founders from diverse walks of life to demonstrate their innovations at the White House. This year’s United State of Women Summit shared stories of women and girls in science and technology and the importance of determining how and where to take action to include and engage all Americans who may be underrepresented or without access to the same opportunities moving forward. At GES, the conversation will continue to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship in creating economic opportunities and the U.S. Department of State’s efforts to promote innovation globally.
While America’s entrepreneurial economy is the envy of the world, there is still much work to do to ensure that the United States is tapping the full entrepreneurial potential of Americans, so that individuals from all walks of life have a straight shot at success.
Tune in for a panel with President Obama and entrepreneurs on Friday, June 24 and join the conversation online. Follow #GES2016 and @GES2016 for more from June 22-24, 2016.
Nate Segal is the Senior Policy Advisor for Small Business Innovation for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
Jennifer Erickson is the Assistant Director for Innovation for Growth for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
