Nations rely on creative thinkers that take action by designing innovative approaches to addressing societal needs. Entrepreneurs create new businesses, products and services that help spur economic growth and development while also providing employment opportunities, often where little exist. Start-up businesses in particular are proliferating to tackle major challenges like unemployment, migration, and political instability in their communities.

For decades, the U.S. has been a hotbed for entrepreneurship. From Thomas Edison to Oprah Winfrey, American inventors and creators have harnessed a start-up spirit to create opportunities for increased security, stability and prosperity. Despite a strong domestic network of local incubators and accelerators, today there are gaps in the entrepreneurial ecosystem that need to be bridged so American innovators are equipped with a global perspective, cross-cultural insight and networks to become stronger entrepreneurs at home in the U.S....

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Ambassador Stuart Holliday served as U.S. Ambassador for Special Political Affairs at the United Nations from 2003 to 2005. He is the President and CEO of Meridian International Center, an organization that works closely with the U.S. Department of State and other U.S. government agencies, NGOs, international governments, and the private sector.