Endeavor Hosts Latin American & South African Entrepreneurs Tour in Silicon Valley

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2006--Thirty-four entrepreneurs from Latin America and South Africa will meet with Silicon Valley's leading figures starting tomorrow through Friday, May 12, as part of an immersion tour hosted by Endeavor.

These emerging market entrepreneurs from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and Uruguay will engage with top founders of Yahoo!, Google, Salesforce, Quinstreet, Ironport and others to gain insight into successful business methods and build networks. The idea: to inspire these entrepreneurs to THINK BIG. The goal: generate a vibrant entrepreneurial culture in their home countries.

“Endeavor has played an instrumental role in promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for development. It is a model that should be replicated around the world.”

Entrepreneurship is changing the emerging markets. Endeavor identifies and supports innovative, high-impact entrepreneurs throughout Latin America, South Africa and the Middle East. "High-impact entrepreneurs have the potential to create thriving companies that employ hundreds and generate millions in wages and revenues." said Linda Rottenberg, Co-founder & CEO of Endeavor.

Since October 1997, Endeavor Entrepreneurs from 169 companies have created more than 30,600 jobs paying on average ten times above the minimum wage, raised approximately US$1 billion in financing and, in 2005 alone, generated US$974.4 million in revenues in technology, insurance, development, e-learning and retail.

Former World Bank President and Endeavor Global Board Member James D.Wolfenshon says "Endeavor has played an instrumental role in promoting entrepreneurship as a tool for development. It is a model that should be replicated around the world."

Press inquires are welcome and entrepreneurs are available for interviews.