Partnership Leverages Resources, Creates Connections to Unlock
Entrepreneurial Potential on a Global Scale
Thom Ruhe
Director, Entrepreneurship, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Entrepreneurship is a universal right that extends beyond geographic
boundaries, languages, and cultures. Unlocking the transformative potential of a
global entrepreneurial economy led to a historic public-private partnership
between the U.S. government and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
In the fall of 2007, the Kauffman Foundation and the International Trade
Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce published the first iteration
of related Web sites (entrepreneurship.org and entrepreneurship.gov),
as a comprehensive resource for entrepreneurs, policymakers, and
researchers—foreign and domestic.
Focused on leveraging entrepreneurial leadership to advance economic growth
around the world, a goal of this online partnership is to assist all nations in
developing the environment to allow entrepreneurs to organize and operate
business ventures, create wealth, and enjoy economic freedom.
By using the latest technology in social media and embracing the growing
influence of online social networking standards, the sites are intended to
mitigate factors that have historically constrained the commercialization of
innovation and the birth of new ventures. Site features include practical
information ("how-to" articles related to all matters of starting and growing
new ventures), policy direction based upon proven models, and access to crucial
components like financial capital, intellectual property, and new/emerging
markets (access that historically has been limited).
In addition to providing the requisite resources and connectivity cited
above, these sites are functioning as a clearinghouse for events of
entrepreneurial interest around the world. Sponsoring governments,
non-governmental organizations, universities, and related entrepreneur support
groups can nominate events for publication and promotion via the sites and other
related communications efforts.
Entrepreneurs are global citizens bridging the gap between their communities
and the world. They are a catalyst for producing jobs, creating wealth, and
stimulating economies around the world. United by the power of ideas, they are
creating new industries and growing strong economies for a brighter future. With
entrepreneurship.org/gov, we are giving them another tool to make
that a little easier.
