COMMERCE TO CREATE OFFICE OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP U.S.
Commerce Secretary Gary Locke has announced plans to create a new Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce and to launch a National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Both new initiatives will help leverage the entire federal government on behalf of promoting entrepreneurship in America.
"We're not lacking for groundbreaking ideas in this country; nor are we short on smart entrepreneurs willing to take risks," Locke said. "What we need to do is get better at connecting the great ideas to the great company builders. And, I think The Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship is a big step in the right direction."
The new Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which will answer directly to the secretary, will be geared toward the first step in the business cycle: moving an idea from someone's imagination, or from a research lab, into a business plan. The office will focus on the following areas:
- Encouraging entrepreneurs through education, training, and mentoring;
- Improving access to capital;
- Accelerating technology commercialization of federal R&D;
- Strengthening interagency collaboration and coordination;
- Providing data, research, and technical resources for entrepreneurs;
and,
- Exploring policy incentives to support entrepreneurs and investors.
The National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, expected to be comprised of successful entrepreneurs, innovators, investors, non-profit leaders and other experts, will advise the Commerce Department on policy relating to building small businesses and help to keep the department engaged in a regular dialogue with the entrepreneurship and small business communities.
For additional information, go to U.S Dept. of Commerce
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