In addition to supporting and promoting GEP Partner Programs, GEP also works with partners to create new programs.
E-Mentor Corps
E-Mentor Corps is a Web-based platform to match mentors in the U.S. business community with aspiring entrepreneurs from developing countries around the world. During his speech in Cairo, President Obama emphasized strengthening ties on issues like entrepreneurship and connecting people in the United States with people around the world, including through online platforms. On April 27, 2010, at the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, Secretary Clinton outlined the structure of the E-Mentor Corps to fulfill these objectives. This initiative to promote the web-based platform by U.S. Embassies and partners aims to expand the number of users – both mentors and entrepreneurs – from hundreds to thousands. Sign up to become an E-mentor Corps supporter or entrepreneur.
Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs)
Under the GEP, an essential factor for success are the dedicated, full time, on the ground individuals that manage and expand GEP partnerships and act as role model entrepreneurs. These Entrepreneurs-in-Residence (EiRs) serve as GEP points of contact coordinating in-country activity.
Entrepreneurship Delegations
Entrepreneurship Delegations between the United States and GEP host countries are composed of 8-12 American investors, as well as American entrepreneurs who may serve as role models and mentors to local entrepreneurs.
The primary goals of the Entrepreneurship Delegation are to:
Angel Networks
A nation’s economy grows when new, innovative companies get support from “angel investors” – high net worth people who make equity investments in early-stage small businesses and often serve as “venture mentors” to the entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs require capital to start, run, and expand their enterprises. One of the most important sources of seed capital in the United States and other developed economies has been the rapid rise of angel investors and networks. Over 90% of U.S. startups receive Angel funding versus 7% who ever receive traditional venture capital investment.
Entrepreneur Bridge
Through the Entrepreneur Bridge, the GEP will pair U.S. and local partners to structure appropriate incubators, accelerators, and/or centers of commercialization to help take innovation from lab to Main Street. Initial help is required to perform diagnostics in some key GEP countries (beginning with Egypt and Indonesia), mapping of U.S. resources (including corporate, university and VC incubators) and then to design and raise appropriate funding for either not for profit or for-profit incubators.
