I’ve spent a lot of time this year talking about the importance of entrepreneurship to our economy and society. Hopefully the work and energy that I’ve put into understanding and helping develop entrepreneurial communities – first in Boulder – and now throughout the US via TechStars, energy around my book Do More Faster, and our investments around the country from Foundry Group reflect this belief.
As part of the mission I’m on, I’ve spent more time in 2010 in Washington D.C. than I have in the last decade. My energy there has gone into three things: (1) Startup Visa, (2) Patent Reform, and (3) Entrepreneurial Community development. I’ve learned a lot about how things work in DC and have had my share of frustration, but I’ve also come to appreciate the overall dynamics more.
I was very pleased to hear recently that President Obama has declared this week National Entrepreneurship Week and today National Entrepreneurs Day via a presidential proclamation. The folks I’ve been working with at the White House and at the Office of Science and Technology Policy definitely get entrepreneurship and the distinction between “entrepreneurship” and “small business” (both are good, just different) and I’m optimistic that the activity around entrepreneurship in 2011 will be enlightened and productive.
In the mean time, if you see an entrepreneur today, give him or her a hug and say thanks.