U.S. Foreign Policy Tops Endeavor Survey on the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A newly released survey by Endeavor, the leading non-profit supporting High-Impact Entrepreneurs in emerging markets, reveals that entrepreneurs in the Middle East believe their businesses depend more on U.S. foreign policy than the U.S. economy.

“There are thousands of promising entrepreneurs in places like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, who, with a bit of mentorship and guidance, can build innovative businesses that can create hundreds and thousands of jobs, and rewrite the Middle Eastern narrative.”

The survey conducted in anticipation of the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship, which starts in Washington D.C. today also shows what Middle Eastern entrepreneurs anticipate from this week’s event.

Sixty six entrepreneurs from Egypt, Jordan and Turkey reported that the Presidential Summit would improve entrepreneurship in the region. Among the key area of improvement identified was increased exposure of the region’s entrepreneurial activity. Less than half believed that the Summit would result in increased access to finance, which they said was the primary catalyst needed to support entrepreneurship and development in the Middle East.

“This survey shows the importance and relevance of the Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship,” says Endeavor Co-Founder & CEO Linda Rottenberg. “There are thousands of promising entrepreneurs in places like Egypt, Jordan and Turkey, who, with a bit of mentorship and guidance, can build innovative businesses that can create hundreds and thousands of jobs, and rewrite the Middle Eastern narrative.”

The Presidential Summit on Entrepreneurship will highlight the role entrepreneurship can play in addressing common challenges while building partnerships that will lead to greater opportunity abroad and at home.

Endeavor Co-founder & CEO Linda Rottenberg and Endeavor Jordan founding board member Fadi Ghandour will speak on the panel “The Culture of Entrepreneurship” and four Endeavor Entrepreneurs from Turkey and Jordan will attend as delegates. They are:

• Nevzat Aydin, Yemeksepeti, Turkey
• Bulent Celebi, Airties, Turkey
• Fatih Isbecer, Pozitron, Turkey
• Mansour Mansour, Javna, Jordan

For a copy of the survey, please contact [e-mail]

About Endeavor

Endeavor breaks down barriers that prevent emerging-market entrepreneurs from reaching their high-impact potential. Hailed by NYT columnist Thomas Friedman as the "mentor capitalist" model, Endeavor identifies entrepreneurs leading high-growth innovative companies in emerging markets. These entrepreneurs are given world-class strategic advice, access to key networks and other tools that will catapult them to success. With Endeavor's guidance they become “high-impact” – expanding employment, generating wealth and inspiring others to innovate. Often overlooked, these local entrepreneurs are now jumpstarting private sector development in their countries.

Endeavor Entrepreneurs throughout Latin America, Egypt, Jordan, South Africa and Turkey have created 100,000 new jobs and generate over $3 billion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.endeavor.org