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Entrepreneurs Optimistic About 2012, According to Kauffman/LegalZoom Startup Confidence Index

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Owners of startup companies are surprisingly optimistic about 2012, according to the first Kauffman/LegalZoom Startup Confidence Index released today by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and LegalZoom. More than one-fourth of the respondents said they plan to hire additional staff in 2012, and twice as many of them expect the economy to improve or stay the same (68 percent) as those who expect it to deteriorate (31 percent).

Kauffman Sketchbook Celebrates the 'Maker' Spirit and the Joy of Making Something

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In a new Kauffman Foundation sketchbook video titled "Make It Happen," Tim O'Reilly, founder and CEO of O'Reilly Media, recalls the launch of Make Magazine and Maker Faire, and says that hobbyists playing with new technologies have often led the way into hotbeds of a new industry. 

The State of Entrepreneurship: State and Local Governments Hold the Key to Accelerating Economic Growth in 2012

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With campaign season in full swing and the economy far from strong, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation interim president and CEO Benno C. Schmidt, along with National Governors Association (NGA) leaders Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and Delaware Governor Jack Markell, today called for state and local government policy changes to foster entrepreneurship and accelerate economic growth. During the third annual Kauffman State of Entrepreneurship Address, titled "A Roadmap for State Growth," Schmidt focused on reducing state and local legal and regulatory barriers to startups and young companies, which play a significant role in U.S. new job creation.

Kauffman Foundation's 2012 State of Entrepreneurship Address to Present Solutions for Spurring Economic Growth and Creating Jobs at the State Level

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In the 2012 State of Entrepreneurship Address,  the Kauffman Foundation will explore methods of promoting entrepreneurship, sparking innovation, and accelerating economic growth through low-cost changes in state law and policy.

Capital Gains Tax Exemption for Investments in Startups Would Help New Companies Cross the ‘Valley of Death’ Says Kauffman Report

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New companies with high growth potential – and with high potential to create jobs – often struggle to obtain sufficient capital to cross the so-called "Valley of Death" in the process from concept to prototype. With continued economic uncertainty, government funding is no longer a guaranteed solution, and private investors have become increasingly risk averse. According to a new report released today by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, both startup activity and investment would be increased by a permanent tax exemption on capital gains on investments in startups held for at least five years.

Leading Economics Bloggers Share Negative but Improving Outlook for 2012; Project Rising Employment in Next Three Years

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Despite a continued cloudy view of the U.S. economy, some top economics bloggers are beginning to see a ray of hope on the horizon. According to a new Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation survey released today, 14 percent of respondents now believe the economy is "strong and growing" or "strong with uncertain growth," an improvement over last quarter

The Kauffman Foundation Unveils Its First-Ever Super Bowl PSA Honoring and Inspiring Entrepreneurs

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During the 2012 Super Bowl on Feb. 5, the Giants and the Patriots won't be the only star athletes honored. The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation will be acknowledging the star athletes of the economy – entrepreneurs – in its first-ever public service announcement dedicated to inspiring the next great entrepreneurs to take action.

Kauffman FastTrac Offers Course Tailored to Women-Owned Businesses

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Beginning this February, Kauffman FastTrac will offer women-only courses specifically designed to help female entrepreneurs' startup or grow their new or existing businesses.

Jeannine Strandjord Elected to Kauffman Foundation Board of Trustees

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today announced that local business and civic leader Jeannine Strandjord has joined its Board of Trustees. Strandjord, whose career at Sprint spanned 20 years, brings a broad base of experience in business, finance, philanthropy and governance to the Kauffman Foundation Board.

Kauffman Foundation Welcomes 2012 Global Scholars to Intensive Six-Month Entrepreneurship Program

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today welcomed 19 aspiring entrepreneurs from the Netherlands, Singapore, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States, to its 2012 Global Scholars Program – an intensive opportunity to immerse themselves in the field of entrepreneurship.

Kauffman Foundation Announces Grant for Utility Technology Challenge

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation today announced a grant to support the Utility Technology Challenge, the national competition matching clean technology solutions with utility and industry partners. Kauffman's support contributes dollarsignr50,000 to the funding pool of up to dollarsignr100,000 in awards for demonstration projects and services for Challenge winners.

Ewing Marion Kauffman School Now Enrolling Fifth-Grade Students for 2012-13 School Year

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman School is currently enrolling students who will be in fifth grade for the 2012-2013 school year. The charter school is free and open to any student living within the boundaries of the Kansas City, Missouri School District. 

Kauffman Foundation Announces 2012 Honors for Promising Scholars Doing Ground-Breaking Research in Entrepreneurship

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The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation announced today the 2012 recipients of the Kauffman Emerging Scholars Program. This program recognizes the achievements of young scholars who are making significant contributions to research in entrepreneurship. The awards were presented Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Allied Social Science Associations' annual meeting in Chicago, Ill.

Carl Schramm Decides to Step Down as Kauffman Foundation CEO

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The Ewing Marion Kauffmann Foundation and Carl Schramm, President and CEO of the Foundation, today announced that, after achieving the milestone of a decade of dedicated service, Schramm has decided to step down from the Foundation in order to return to scholarship and business. 

U.S. Senators DeMint and Barrasso Introduce Bill to Remove Regulatory Burdens and Grow Businesses

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U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-South Carolina) and John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) on Dec. 7, 2011, introduced the Startup Expansion and Investment Act—legislation that, if enacted, would offer new and growing companies relief from the costly regulatory burdens of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.