iconannual 2015 - The European Business and Investment Magazine

United States of America
Greetings
Dear readers!
H. E. Alexa Wesner
U.S. Ambassador to Austria
I
am pleased to see iconvienna focusing on
entrepreneurship and innovation this year.
Entrepreneurship is a way of looking at the
world and seeing not just obstacles, but opportunities;
not just the world as it is, but the
world as it could be, and then having the confidence,
the determination, and the know-how
to bring those worlds closer together.
In 2009, President Obama elevated entrepreneurship
as a critical pillar of U.S. global
engagement as a means to deepen ties between
the United States and the international community.
Since then, the United States government
has committed to supporting entrepreneurship
to help channel the creativity,
innovation, and potential of millions of individuals
around the world.
Entrepreneurship is one of the most powerful
ways for individuals to improve their own
economic circumstances, as well as the circumstances
of communities within their realm of
impact. Entrepreneurship promotes economic
growth, job creation, political stability, and
empowerment. It captures an individual’s potential
and aspirations and can push the transformation
of whole industries. In the best circumstances,
it can transform society itself.
I like to think that the United States has a
vital role in supporting and assisting entrepreneurship
worldwide because of our experience,
diversity, and entrepreneurial culture.
America is known around the world as a country
that empowers the inventor and the innovator.
America has been a place where men
and women can take a chance on a dream –
where they can take an idea that starts around
a kitchen table and turn it into a thriving new
business or new industry. And where social
entrepreneurship is as valued as business entrepreneurship.
In turn, global entrepreneurship not only
promotes America’s prosperity in the global
economy, but binds us to the economic success
of partner countries around the world, including
Austria, which is well-positioned to help
spread the entrepreneurial movement to the
region and especially throughout eastern and
southeastern Europe.
Foto: U.S. Embassy
The European Business and Investment Magazine iconannual 23