PDE-news (1/30/12): A Global Race to Create the Best Startup Ecosystem

The recent announcement of Richard Branson, the world-famous entrepreneur best known for his Virgin brand empire and his passion for adventure sports, as the headline speaker at the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Congress has generated a significant amount of attention and interest. Meanwhile behind the scenes, a broad cross-section of delegates are planning their trip to the Congress in Liverpool, looking to see what they can learn about fostering startup ecosystems that can accelerate their nation’s talent to introduce new disruptive ideas and firms that turn them into innovations that change lives and drive markets.

Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/A-Global-Race-to-Create-the-Best-Startup-Ecosystem.aspx

From the Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship Blog

Branson to Headline Global Entrepreneurship Congress

Sir Richard Branson is backing the world’s entrepreneurs as the primary engine of economic growth and global stability by joining the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Liverpool. Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/Branson-to-Headline-Global-Entrepreneurship-Congress.aspx

Kauffman to Air PSA During Super Bowl

For years, anticipation surrounding what commercials would play during the Super Bowl has almost matched that of the game itself. Some spots-like 1984’s Apple: 1984 or 2003’s Terry Tate: Office Linebacker-have so much staying power that you can probably close your eyes and picture them still today (before clicking on the links to watch them on YouTube, of course). Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/Kauffman-to-Air-PSA-During-Super-Bowl.aspx

Small Biz Jobs Up, Wages & Hours Down

First, the good news. According to the latest Small Business Employment Index released by Intuit, small businesses created 50,000 new jobs in January. The total represents an increase of 0.2 percent over the last month–equating to an annual growth rate of 2.9 percent. Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/Small-Biz-Jobs-Up-Wages-and-Hours-Down.aspx

This Week in Entrepreneurship Policy

Hearings and other meetings heat up during the week ahead on both sides of the U.S. Capitol. A roundtable discussion on “Developing & Strengthening High-growth Entrepreneurship,” including PDE’s Jonathan Ortmans, leads the way in the Senate while the House Budget Committee hears from Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke on “The State of the US Economy.” Meanwhile, off the Hill, Steve Case of the Startup America Partnership joins Sen. Jerry Moran and Sen. Mark Warner to talk about the Startup Act and ‘Improving the Environment for Entrepreneurship.’ Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/This-Week-in-Entrepreneurship-Policy-January-30.aspx

A Look Back at Innovation Daily

Each day, Innovation Daily checks the pulse of global innovation– courtesy of Innovation America. Here, we take a look at a handful of relevant stories it compiled last week. Read More…>> http://www.entrepreneurship.org/en/Blogs/Policy-Forum-Blog/2012/January/A-Look-Back-at-Innovation-Daily-January-30.aspx