State of Entrepreneurship to tackle national ‘startup deficit’
February 16, 2016 | Bobby Burch
In her second address to the nation, Kauffman Foundation CEO Wendy Guillies on Wednesday will present the seventh-annual “State of Entrepreneurship Address.”
Guillies will travel to the National Press Club in Washington D.C. to address the nation’s long-term decline in new business creation, which has created a so-called “startup deficit.” Guillies, who was appointed as the foundation’s CEO in June, will present the case that the deficit can be improved via public policies endorsed by the foundation to help foster revitalized entrepreneurial growth.
The address will present a plan — called the “New Entrepreneurial Growth Agenda” — to spur that revitalization. The agenda will propose steps to reduce risk for prospective entrepreneurs, increase federal research and development investments to boost innovation and create a new pathway for immigrant entrepreneurs. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, and former Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman will provide political commentary on the agenda.
Following Guillies’ address, Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, will speak on how congress can empower America’s entrepreneurs. A panel led by Bloomberg View columnist Paula Dwyer will present recommendations for how to support entrepreneurship and business growth.
The event will be streamed live beginning at 11:15 a.m. CT at www.kauffman.org/SOE2016. Check out last year’s address below.

2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Your neighbors have stories you’ve never heard; this podcast duo is giving them the mic
Kansas City natives Jose “JL” Leon Jr. and Daniel “D.Rod” Rodriguez are on a mission to create community — not controversy — with a podcast showcasing untold stories of underrepresented leaders and entrepreneurs — people who contribute to the fabric of Kansas City, but don’t always make headlines. “The more you get to know someone, the…
M25 rankings: Startup hubs are slowing; why KC could be losing ground to Midwest neighbors
Kansas City’s startup scene is walking a fine line between flat and stagnant, said Victor Gutwein, teasing caution and other insights into KC’s No. 11 ranking — a position it’s held since 2022 — on M25’s latest Midwest startup cities list. “We’re seeing fewer startups (registered in our datasource Pitchbook) than we used to in Kansas…
Wichita Startup Week rallying nonprofits (and Bill Nye ‘The Science Guy’) to celebrate entrepreneurs
Startland News’ Startup Road Trip series explores innovative and uncommon ideas finding success in rural America and Midwestern startup hubs outside the Kansas City metro. WICHITA — Entrepreneurship and innovation advocates on Tuesday announced plans for an unprecedented, power-packed week of high-profile events and programs — all fueled by a new coalition of nonprofits that support…
Venue design for 2028 LA Olympics scores early win for KC firm on Intuit Dome team
As eyes turn from Paris to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Lenexa-based Henderson Engineers is finishing its work on a $2 billion NBA arena project that ultimately will host games for the LA Clippers and Olympians from across the globe. “It’s no secret that Kansas City is a sports mecca when it comes…
