Politics. On Point.

Demo Day is normally done in the presence of wealthy Venture Capitalists (VCs) where entrepreneurs pitch (or demonstrate) their product or service idea in hopes of receiving funding (and recognition) to take their business idea to the next level.   On Tuesday, in the first ever Demo Day, entrepreneurs pitched their ideas to the president of the United States. President Obama with Demo Day entrepreneurs.  Photos/CD Brown. The event brought together minority and women-owned businesses, a demographic that often faces more barriers receiving funding. A study revealed that fewer than 3 percent of venture capital-backed companies have a woman as their CEO, while yet another study revealed that fewer than 1 percent have an African American founder.  "We’ve got to make sure that everybody is getting a fair shot", said President Obama, "not leave more than half the team on the bench." The president has received commitments from nearly 50 businesses t...

White House Launches Entrepreneur Initiative and Partnership (Watch Live here ) “ Startup America ,” a national campaign to help America achieve these goals by promoting high-growth entrepreneurship across the country with new initiatives to help encourage private sector investment in job-creating startups and small firms, accelerate research, and address barriers to success for entrepreneurs and small businesses. “Entrepreneurs embody the promise of America: the belief that if you have a good idea and are willing to work hard and see it through, you can succeed in this country. And in fulfilling this promise, entrepreneurs also play a critical role in expanding our economy and creating jobs. That’s why we're launching Startup America, a national campaign to help win the future by knocking down barriers in the path of men and women in every corner of this country hoping to take a chance, follow a dream, and start a business”, said President Obama.   A few promising features i...

( Press Release ) In response to President Obama’s commitment to partnership with Muslim communities worldwide based on mutual interest and mutual respect and the 2010 Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) has forged partnerships with Business for Diplomatic Action (BDA) and Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) to expand exchange programs and pursue new opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation. ECA’s International Visitor Leadership Program, “New Beginning: Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation,” will bring twenty-five entrepreneurs per year from countries with significant Muslim populations to the United States over the next four years for educational seminars, mentorship, and first-hand experience in the business place with American entrepreneurs. ECA will also work with private sector partners to send 100 American entrepreneurs abroad over the next four years. Participants in the “New Beginning: Entrepreneurship and ...