Two years ago, the U.S. Commerce Department launched its Open for Business Agenda and took several strides to foster entrepreneurship. U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker believes entrepreneurs are the foundation of our economy and that those who create and innovate, transform ideas into new businesses. On the path forward, the Commerce Department will continue to provide support to entrepreneurs domestically and globally.  And, the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) initiative is a prime example of how we are leading that charge.

In the past year, President Obama and Secretary Pritzker expanded the membership of PAGE with an additional nine Ambassadors. As part of their mission, each Ambassador pledged to launch an initiative to support entrepreneurs; both domestically and abroad. The “Rise of the Rest” bus tour, launched by Steve Case in 2014, continues to be a success and has invested $1 million in startups across the country.  At the end of September, the tour rolls into Baltimore, Philadelphia, Buffalo, Manchester, N.H. and Portland, ME. In addition to this tour, PAGE members Julie Hanna and Daniel Lubetzky have pioneered efforts to support female and youth entrepreneurs. Lubetzky has invested $3 million in women-led, mission-driven food start-ups. While Hanna, as Chair of the Board of Kiva, has launched "Global Capital Access," designed to make $100 million in micro-loans available for women and youth entrepreneurs around the world. And, in August of this year, the White House hosted the White House Demo Day, which included several PAGE members and encouraged diversity and inclusiveness around entrepreneurship.

Along with domestic PAGE accomplishments, achievements have occurred globally as well. Members of PAGE have traveled across the globe in order to support entrepreneurs through workshops, summits, online courses, and discussions. On July 25 and 26 of this year, Steve Case, Brian Chesky, Julie Hanna, and Daymond John  joined President Obama and Secretary Pritzker at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, Kenya. At GES, PAGE members participated in panels, roundtable discussions, and press conferences. Case announced several new investments in local start-ups as well as provided prizes for pitch competition winners along with Chesky.

Following the success of PAGE thus far, the commitment to expand and continue support for entrepreneurs continues. Future endeavors of PAGE include working with Cuban entrepreneurs, inspiring STEM entrepreneurship through exposure to robots, working with entrepreneurs to develop successful business models that also serve a social purpose, and other planned initiatives.

The actions taken by PAGE members are organized by the three pillars of the initiative- increasing opportunities to access: capital; education and training; and role models and mentorship.  The PAGE initiative takes the energy, ideas, and experiences of its members to develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.

On the Commerce Department’s path forward, PAGE will continue to support entrepreneurs throughout the world and ensure that the U.S. remains open for business.