U.S. Announces Innovation Marketplace, a Hub for Startup Entrepreneurs
June 17, 2016
For Immediate Release
The Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) focuses on putting innovating global entrepreneurs together with those who can help transform dreams into reality. In this spirit, and in conjunction with partner Stanford University, the United States is pleased to feature the Innovation Marketplace -- a series of booths and demonstration hubs that will focus on resources for entrepreneurs scaling their businesses.
From partners exhibiting public-private partnerships that showcase artisan enterprises, to those spotlighting the latest in design technology, the diversity of market exhibitors highlights U.S. government and partner programs that support global entrepreneurship and provide startup resources. The space is designed to spark the imagination of GES participants through interactive conversations, and provide richer access to possible resources.
Innovation hubs exist throughout the United States and the world in a wide variety of sectors and platforms. The Innovation Marketplace shows the creativity, range and dynamism that fuels entrepreneurial growth. The Innovation Marketplace will be open on June 22-24 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The following organizations will participate in the Marketplace:
· Al Jazeera Media Network
· Alliance for Artisan Enterprise
· Dalberg Global Development Advisors
· Dell Inc.
· Global Entrepreneurship Network
· Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST)
· Google for Entrepreneurs
· Microsoft
· Peace Corps
· Power Africa
· Shinola
· SPARK Coalition for Global Entrepreneurship
· Stanford Seed, Stanford Ignite and Stanford go.to.market
· Stanford Technology Ventures Program
· Stripe
· U.S. Agency for International Development
· U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
· Women's Entrepreneurship Fund
Background information on each participating organization run below.
GES Background: President Obama will host the seventh annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) at Stanford University, June 22-24, 2016. GES showcases of the U.S. government’s commitment to utilize entrepreneurship as a foundational tool to build more communities around the world that are economically prosperous, secure, and globally connected. As the partner and venue for the GES, Stanford University will serve as the nexus for innovative global entrepreneurs to connect with one another through numerous workshops and hands-on sessions.
Since 2010, there have been six Global Entrepreneurship Summits that have brought together diverse groups of entrepreneurs, business leaders, investors, educators, foundations and government leaders from nearly every country in every region of the world. As many as 10,000 entrepreneurship ecosystem stakeholders have participated in the Global Entrepreneur Summits in Washington, Istanbul, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, Marrakesh, and Nairobi.
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Al Jazeera Media Network (www.aljazeera.com)
Al Jazeera will showcase our growth from a pan-Arab Channel to the Global Media Network we are today, challenging established narratives and giving our global audience a global perspective – One that has put the human being back at the center of the news agenda, thereby presenting stories that matter inclusive of global entrepreneurial stories. A unique package that has quickly made Al Jazeera Media Network one of the world’s most influential news networks. The Al Jazeera Media Network exhibit booth will display Al Jazeera Media Network collateral. Al Jazeera Media Network journalists & senior management will be available at the stand answering all questions regarding the Network and its coverage, illustrating the different global entrepreneurial stories covered by the Network.
Alliance for Artisan Enterprise (www.allianceforartisanenterprise.org)
The Alliance for Artisan Enterprise is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Aspen Institute. The Alliance is a network of over 100 member organizations representing the diverse faces of artisan enterprise, from Peruvian weavers and Rwandan basketmakers to technical service providers, designers, and entrepreneurs integrating handcrafted goods into the global market. Learn from the Alliance about the economic, social, and cultural value of the artisan sector - the second largest employer in the developing world - and the organization’s innovative solutions to drive resources to artisan producers around the world.
Dalberg Global Development Advisors (www.dalberg.com)
Dalberg is a strategy and policy advisory firm with the mission of bringing the best of private sector strategy to address global development challenges. Our clients span the public, private and philanthropic sectors, and we work collaboratively with them to address pressing global problems and generate positive social impact from programs, investments and initiatives. Visit for insights on the company’s work on Agriculture and Food Security, Cities and Urban Development, Education to Employment, Energy Access, Environment, Financial Inclusion, Health and Nutrition, Information and Communications Technology, Humanitarian Assistance, and Investing for Development.
Dell Inc. (www.dell.com)
The entrepreneurial spirit is among the most important guiding principles at Dell - it ultimately leads to more innovation, and more motivation. Entrepreneurs are the ones that emerge to create new opportunities that reinvent the global economy. We see an opportunity to help accelerate the impact entrepreneurs can have both on the global economy and within their local communities and on Dell’s business.
Dell believes entrepreneurs are the foundation for innovation, economic growth and job creation and works to empower entrepreneurs around the world to pursue their endeavors. Come and learn about the tools, technology and resources that Dell can provide to help entrepreneurs be successful.
Global Entrepreneurship Network (http://wearegen.co/)
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) helps people in 160 countries unleash their ideas and turn them into promising new ventures – creating one global entrepreneurial ecosystem. It began with the communities and countries that celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week each November, and has evolved into a year-round platform of programs operating in all types of economies and cultures. Visit the GEN booth to discover resources for entrepreneurs, investors and startup community leaders.
Global Innovation through Science and Technology (GIST) (www.GISTNetwork.org)
The Global Innovation through Science and Technology initiative—GIST—empowers young science and technology innovators in 135 emerging economies to develop startup solutions that address economic and development challenges. GIST participants develop skills, build networks, find mentors, and access financing through a combination of in-country training, a pitch competition, interactive online programming, and direct connections to U.S. experts.
Google for Entrepreneurs (https://www.googleforentrepreneurs.com/)
Google for Entrepreneurs provides financial support and the best of Google's resources to dozens of coworking spaces and community programs across 125 countries. We also create Campuses: physical hubs where entrepreneurs can learn, connect, and build companies that will change the world.
At our core, we connect innovators to tools they need to thrive, and that's why we're here at GES. Receive mentorship from Google and other Silicon Valley experts, chat with fellow founders located around the world through the Portals Project, tell us what inspires you at gesstories.co, or just hang out and make a friend at the Google for Entrepreneurs Lounge located towards the end of the Innovation Marketplace. See you there!
Instagram’s #MyStory celebrates the power and importance of female storytelling. The campaign highlights the voices of women around the world who are pursuing their passions, breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. Join us at GES to share your story and be inspired by other incredible storytellers by following the hashtag #MyStory.
Microsoft (https://www.Microsoftaccelerator.com)
At every stage, Microsoft supports entrepreneurs across the a range of development, with the end goal of enabling people and their ideas to have greater impact. From offering access to tools and platforms, to business and technology consulting, or with a direct investment from our corporate venture fund, we provide support and partnership to technology startups across the spectrum.
Peace Corps (www.peacecorps.gov)
The Peace Corps is a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation. For more than five decades Peace Corps Volunteers in over 140 countries have worked at the grassroots level to create change that lasts long after their service. Our volunteers partner with host country national counterparts in the sectors of agriculture, community economic development, environment, health, youth in development, and education. Stop by the booth to learn about how to serve, give input on innovative ways to continue to address social issues within the countries/local communities where Peace Corps is active, and the tools and strategies to have most impact at the local level. Peace Corps staff will be available to engage around partnering with entrepreneurs and investors globally for social change.
Power Africa (https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica)
Two out of three people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity. This limits access to quality health care, education, and economic opportunities for 600 million people. Power Africa helps bring critical power projects online and connects people to electricity by removing the barriers, particularly the financial and regulatory roadblocks, that for too long have stood in the way of power delivery in sub-Saharan Africa. This booth features a MakerSpace that participants will engage in to help solve challenges delivering power to villages in Africa through distributed energy. Power Africa staff and private sector company representatives will also be available to engage with participants.
Shinola (www.shinola.com)
Founded in 2011, Shinola was conceived with the belief that products should be well made and built to last. As makers of modern watches, bicycles, journals and leather goods, Shinola stands for skill at scale, the preservation of craft and the beauty of industry.
SPARK Coalition for Global Entrepreneurship (http://www.startthespark.org/)
The SPARK Coalition for Global Entrepreneurship brings together the world’s leading entrepreneurship organizations and facilitates collaboration to enhance each organization’s ability to contribute far-reaching value and strengthen entrepreneurship globally. Today, an impressive collection of organizations, Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), are coming together to answer President Barack Obama’s call to work together to advance entrepreneurship and economic growth around the world.
Stanford Seed, Stanford Ignite and Stanford go.to.market (https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/stanford-gotomarket, www.gsb.stanford.edu www.gsb.stanford.edu/programs/stanford-ignite www.gsb.stanford.edu/seed)
Learn about what Stanford Graduate School of Business is doing to change lives, change organizations and change the world. Information will be available on three programs which are working to bolster entrepreneurs globally: Stanford Ignite, Stanford go.to.market, and Stanford Seed, the Stanford Institute for Innovation in Developing Economies.
Stanford Technology Ventures Program (http://stvp.stanford.edu/)
As the entrepreneurship center in the School of Engineering, Stanford Technology Ventures Program is a lab for creating and delivering courses, performing scholarly research on high-impact technology firms and developing tools and programs to accelerate entrepreneurship education for people around the world.
Stripe (https://stripe.com )
Stripe is built to let entrepreneurs around the world create global businesses from anywhere.. Stripe is a technology platform that developers use to build internet businesses. Thousands of businesses – ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies – rely on Stripe’s software tools to securely accept payments in 130+ currencies, expand globally, and create new revenue streams.
USAID (www.usaid.gov)
USAID is the lead U.S. Government agency that works to end extreme global poverty and enable resilient, democratic societies to realize their potential. USAID supports entrepreneurship through providing long-term capital to innovators and entrepreneurs through venture-capital style grant competitions; partnering with impact investors, incubators, and accelerators to provide financing and technical assistance to entrepreneurs; and working with corporations and others to take proven innovations to scale. This booth will feature information about how to work with USAID to bring technologies and game-changing innovations to those who can benefit most.
United States Patent and Trademark Office (www.uspto.gov)
In addition to granting U.S. patents and registering trademarks, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) provides intellectual property information and resources for entrepreneurs, independent inventors, and startups across the country. Patent prosecution specialists from the USPTO's Silicon Valley regional office deliver education and outreach programs locally, and are available to discuss the patent process with visitors.
Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund (www.Kiva.org/her)
Kiva and the U.S. Department of State launched the Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund to empower women entrepreneurs globally by increasing their access to safe and affordable capital. The Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund booth will provide information for funders interested in capitalizing the fund and social entrepreneurs seeking capital.
- FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY -
Coverage: Program sessions are open for on-the-record press coverage to accredited GES media representatives unless otherwise noted, but may have limited capacity. Press attending sessions do so in an observational capacity only, and should not interfere with the delegate experience (e.g. conduct interviews or ask questions) while the session is ongoing.
Access: Sessions are first-come first-served, and will be closed to press upon reaching full attendance. Additionally, due to significant capacity limitations, plenary sessions at the GES will be pooled and will require an additional underlay for access.
Accreditation: All press who plan to attend the Summit must have applied for a GES media credentials. The accreditation request period has now closed.
Contact Information: For additional information or logistical inquiries, please contact the GES Media Team at summitmedia@state.gov