Highlighting policies and initiatives to advance innovation and drive economic growth

30 Top Innovations in 30 Years

Way back in 1979, the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) began its regular broadcasts of The Nightly Business Report. Thirty years later, the show is still going strong. In honor of this anniversary, the show has compiled a list of the top thirty innovations of the past thirty years. The list includes... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/27/2009 07:49 AM | Comments (86)

Obama, Jindal Pay Lip Service to Entrepreneurs

Last night, President Barack Obama delivered a State of the Union-like address to a joint session of Congress where he tempered his doom-and-gloom message while outlining his plans for the economy. And while the stimulus package that he's promoting as the answer to our financial crisis is largel... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/25/2009 07:46 AM | Comments (41)

Entrepreneurs: Engines for Job Creation & Innovation

Unemployment rates are more than just numbers. For each number, there is a personal story to be told. For some, it's a temporary inconvenience. For others, it is a lengthy process that creates a economic hardship. And for still others, it is a necessary nudge to chase their dreams. My essay this... [More]
Posted By: Jonathan Ortmans at 02/23/2009 11:21 AM | Comments (54)

Universities Can Generate Billions for Regional Economies

Last Tuesday, the Public Forum Institute hosted its first Policy Dialogue on Entrepreneurship briefing to release the executive summary of a report on the critical role universities play not only in fostering innovation andentrepreneurial growth, but in stimulating the much-needed recovery inregiona... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 10:38 AM | Comments (79)

Brookings’ Recommendations on American Competitiveness

What can be done to revitalize the American economy? A group of scholars affiliated with the Brookings Institution recently offered some insights on the important issue of American competitiveness. Their broad categories of recommendations are tough to quibble with: Investing in Infrastructure, Inve... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 09:51 AM | Comments (41)

New Global Challengers

One offshoot of globalization has been the emergence of world-class businesses in less developed economies. These firms are no longer “junior partners,” but major global players in their own right.The latest Boston Consulting Group analysis of “New Global Challengers” identif... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 09:37 AM | Comments (164)

'Team Obama' Efforts Recognized by Fast Company

Fast Company’s latest list of “The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies” contains many of the usual suspects we see on lists of this type. It’s pretty commonplace to see Apple, Google, Cisco, and Intel in lists of innovative firms. However, this year’s No. 1 compa... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 09:04 AM | Comments (22)

SBIR at Risk?

While many Federal technology and innovation-related programs will be seeing an infusion of new economic stimulus funds, one of Washington’s more effective technology support tools--the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program--may be at risk in the coming months. The SBIR program, wh... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 09:01 AM | Comments (47)

A New Look at American Competitiveness

At a time of historic economic downturns, many American observers may console themselves that the American economy, despite its many challenges, still remains a global leader in entrepreneurship and innovation. After all, prestigious analysis like the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiven... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/23/2009 08:44 AM | Comments (6)

NYC Among Those Looking for 'FastTrac' to Recovery

In times of recession, entrepreneurial activity can experience an uptick as displaced workerslook to make their own opportunities. As the unemployment rate increases across the country, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other community leaders are turning to the Kauffman Foundation's FastTrac prog... [More]
Posted By: Mark Marich at 02/19/2009 20:05 PM | Comments (51)