Research & Development World

  • Home Page
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Archeology
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Chemistry
    • COVID-19
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Market Pulse
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
      • Software
    • Semiconductors
  • 2021 R&D 100 Award Winners
    • R&D 100 Awards
    • 2020 Winners
    • Winner Archive
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Webinars

Obama Hosts First Demo Day to Promote Entrepreneurship

By R&D Editors | August 5, 2015

President Barack Obama meets with Aaron Horowitz and Hannah Chung, Providence, R.I., of Sproutel as he hosts top innovators and startup founders from across the country for the first White House Demo Day, August 4, 2015, in the State Dinning Room of the White House in Washington. Chung holds Jerry the bear is a smart stuffed animal with educational apps that help kids build healthy behaviors centered on nutrition, exercise, sleep and mindfulness. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama spent his 54th birthday talking to a robotic teddy bear that teaches children how to manage their diabetes and watching a radio waves demonstration used to detect senior falls.

Obama on August 4, 2015, welcomed more than 30 startup teams including women, minorities and others underrepresented in entrepreneurship to the first White House Demo Day.

Obama said the U.S. is home to more high-tech companies than anyplace else in the world, but not everyone has the chance to pursue their dreams because of challenges like raising capital.

“It’s always hard to get in front of the right people, but sometimes it’s harder if you’re a woman or an underrepresented minority who all too often have to fight just to get a seat at the table,” he said.

The White House says about three percent of U.S. startups backed by venture capital are led by women. About one percent are headed by African-Americans.

“We’ve got to make sure that everybody is getting a fair shot — the next Steve Jobs might be named Stephanie or Esteban,” Obama said. “We’ve got to unleash the full potential of every American — not leave more than half the team on the bench.”

Before his remarks, Obama toured half a dozen startups in the State Dining Room including Sakti3 — which designs solid-state lithium batteries to power mobile phones, computers and cars — and Duolingo, a free app that teaches languages.

“I’m going to tap in this” and “spruce up my Spanish,” Obama said, promising to check out the application whenever he gets access to a smartphone again.

The president also announced new public and private-sector commitments to attract diversity in entrepreneurship and technology including the winners of Small Business Administration competitions, federal partnerships to increase training efforts by the National Science Foundation and expanding the TechHire initiative, where cities and states partner with employers in recruitment.

Before the group of young, diverse innovators sang “Happy Birthday” to the president, Obama said he looked forward to seeing what all they end up doing.

“And keep in mind that in about 18 months, I’m going to need a job,” he added.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Related Articles Read More >

TetraScience and PerkinElmer collaborate to provide cloud customers quicker improved scientific data outcomes
SwRI developing connected vehicle data exchange platform for Florida Department of Transportation
Sofar Ocean secures $39M to drive climate mitigation and adaptation
Mike McKee appointed as Dotmatics’ president to lead data-driven scientific research
2021 R&D Global Funding Forecast

Need R&D World news in a minute?

We Deliver!
R&D World Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need in research and development. Sign up today.
Enews Signup

R&D World Digital Issues

February 2020 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R& magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • 2022 Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • Home Page
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Archeology
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Chemistry
    • COVID-19
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Market Pulse
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
      • Software
    • Semiconductors
  • 2021 R&D 100 Award Winners
    • R&D 100 Awards
    • 2020 Winners
    • Winner Archive
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • Podcasts
    • Subscribe
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Webinars