Carney discusses job creation with Delaware entrepreneurs
Congressman John Carney visited The Loft at Start It Up Delaware Aug. 6 to meet with Delaware entrepreneurs, tour the new office space, and discuss opportunities for job creation through small business development. Start It Up Delaware is a public-private partnership that serves as a hub for entrepreneurs looking to transform ideas into reality. The partnership allows its members to access training, office space, and financial and legal resources to develop their startup ideas into businesses.
Carney participated in Start It Up Delaware’s weekly Doughnuts and Demos meeting, a platform for members to discuss progress in their business plans and get feedback from mentors and other entrepreneurs.
“This is where job creation starts,” said Carney. “The vast majority of new jobs come from small businesses. It’s government’s role to set fair policies and create an environment where businesses of all sizes can compete. Start It Up Delaware has an amazing group of creative, collaborative entrepreneurs building strong businesses from the ground up. Today’s visit was important for me to get their feedback on the challenges they face and how we can work together on creating opportunities for growth.”
“It was a pleasure to have Congressman Carney participate in our meeting and show him some of the creative projects that our members are working on,” said Mona Parikh, managing director of Start It Up Delaware. “Entrepreneurs are a growing part of the economy, and we try to celebrate them, support them, and give them access to the resources they need to grow. We’ve made a lot of progress in recent years, and I’m looking forward to building this venture even further.”
The visit coincided with Start Up Day Across America, an effort started by the bipartisan Innovation and Entrepreneurship Caucus in the U.S. House to help raise awareness of startup companies and build support for local members of the entrepreneurial community. A recent Kauffman Foundation study found that between 1980 and 2005, businesses less than five years old accounted for an average of 3 million jobs per year. According to Startup America, nationwide, 27 percent of startups are owned by women, and 33 percent are owned by minorities. These startup companies are involved in a wide variety of industries including technology, creative design, retail, and education.
Carney has championed small business growth since his election to the House of Representatives. In 2012 he introduced key measures making it easier for emerging growth companies to go public and access needed capital. His improvements were included in the JOBS Act that was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
For more information go to www.startitupdelaware.org.
