Global Entrepreneurs Participate in ‘A New Beginning’

As part of US Department of State initiative, 32 entrepreneurs from around the world embark on a three-week tour of the U.S. to engage in peer-to-peer learning and relationship-building.

Washington, DC, USA (26 September 2011) – On Monday, September 26, leading entrepreneurs from around the world arrived in Washington to embark on the U.S. Department of State’s “A New Beginning: Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation” program. Now in its second year, this groundbreaking program provides prominent entrepreneurs from around the world with opportunities to expand their networks and skills as both businesspeople and as leaders in their home countries’ entrepreneurial communities.

A New Beginning, an International Visitor Leadership Program in partnership with the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and administered by World Learning, engages participants in a three-week program of educational experiences, business mentoring and long-term relationship-building. U.S. embassies in 32 countries selected entrepreneurs with strong accomplishments or potential as the participants in the A New Beginning program. Each participant has committed to growing their business and creating new employment opportunities in their communities based on their visit.

The participants will spend time with leading American entrepreneurs, business executives and government officials to hone their entrepreneurial endeavors and skills. During their three-week visit, the participants will visit four cities: Washington, DC; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA; and New York, NY. New in this second year of the initiative, Bloomberg Government has signed on as the Global Program Partner, contributing its unique resources and knowledge to enhance the value of the program.

A New Beginning is a response to President Barack Obama’s June 2009 pledge in Cairo and at the 2010 Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship to expand exchange programs and opportunities in entrepreneurship.

“The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s mission is to help leading entrepreneurs learn and grow, so we are very proud and honored to be involved in another year of this fantastic program,” said Adrienne Cornelsen, the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s ‘A New Beginning’ Program Chair. “Our members are some of the world’s most successful business owners, and we’re very excited that they will be lending their entrepreneurial expertise and knowledge to this initiative.”

"Bloomberg Government is pleased to support the efforts of the U.S. State Department and the Entrepreneurs' Organization in this important initiative," said Chris Walters, Chief Operating Officer of the Bloomberg Industry Verticals Group. "The New Beginning: Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation program is an excellent example of how a successful public-private partnership can work to promote entrepreneurial growth and business development both in the United States and around the world."

About the International Visitor Leadership Program Now in its 70th year, the International Visitor Leadership Program is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program, connecting current and emerging foreign leaders with their American counterparts through short-term programs to build mutual understanding on foreign policy issues. Nearly 200,000 distinguished individuals have participated in the program, including more than 320 current and former Chiefs of State and Heads of Government, and thousands of leaders from the public and private sectors. More information on IVLP can be found on http://exchanges.state.gov/ivlp.

About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) – for entrepreneurs only – is a dynamic global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Membership in one of EO’s 120 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 41 years old with annual revenues of US$17.3 million. For more information on EO, www.eonetwork.org or call +1.703.519.6700.

About Bloomberg Government Bloomberg Government (BGOV) is the most comprehensive source of news, data, analysis and analytic tools focused on the economic impact and business implications of the U.S. government’s actions—all of the laws, policies and programs that America’s Federal government in Washington, D.C. enacts, and what they mean for the business community worldwide. Launched in January 2011, BGOV is a service of Bloomberg L.P., the global business and financial information and news leader, For more information on Bloomberg Government, www.bgov.com