U.S. Chamber increasing investment in young entrepreneurs

February 1, 2011

The Hill

Peter Schroeder

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is spending $1 million to promote entrepreneurship among young people, the business lobby announced Monday.

The investment represents a private-sector contribution to the administration's new "Startup America" initiative, which was announced on the same day and promotes new business creation.

"All of America’s businesses started as an idea — an idea brought to reality by hard working entrepreneurs,” said Stan Anderson, managing director for the chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise. “These are the dreamers and the innovators that are the foundation of our economy. This campaign will help the innovators, thinkers, and doers of tomorrow continue building the American Dream.”

The administration announced its national campaign to promote business start-ups Monday morning, saying it wanted to promote high-growth business ideas and job-creating start-ups, as well as address barriers for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The chamber's funds will promote entrepreneurial education in K-12, college and post-graduate programs. Among those being supported is the Students in Free Enterprise program, which encourages campuses nationwide to work with local chambers of commerce on entrepreneurship projects. Also receiving funds is the Kairos Society, which sponsors the 50 most innovative student start-ups, which will be announced in February.

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