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
Kansas City entrepreneurs chosen for startup competition focused on health tech
WICHITA — Health innovation is a global priority, said organizers of the latest NXTSTAGE cohort, announcing nearly a dozen finalists and solutions hailing from Kansas City to France. Ten companies were selected for the 2024 NXTSTAGE Community Health and Vibrancy Pilot Competition, presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS). Finalists include startups working to…
Becca Castro redesigned, rebooted LaunchKC; now she’ll lead KCSourceLink, one of KC’s premier startup champions
KCSourceLink’s new director and network builder brings more than two decades of experience and a shared passion for helping aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs grow their businesses, leaders of the organization said Tuesday. Becca Castro, who most recently led LaunchKC from within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), begins the role Aug. 19. “I’m…
Venture for America abruptly closes; ending fellowship that matched talent with KC startups, VCs
A coast-to-coast fellowship program that sought to reinvigorate communities — including Kansas City — by pairing recent college graduates with emerging startups, investment firms, and nonprofits has unexpectedly ceased operations, leaders with Venture for America announced this week. “While this chapter for our national organization is closing, the spirit and impact of VFA will endure through…
Award-winning chef fights eviction from 2000 Vine space; attorney calls legal action ‘last resort’
Efforts to resolve a dispute over The Prospect KC’s cafe, grocery and culinary training space at 2000 Vine Street have been fruitless, said Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant, noting she still hopes to “achieve an equitable and reasonable resolution.” 2000 Vine Street LLC and its owner Timothy Duggan have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of…
