The document proposes the creation of the National Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to celebrate and support entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation by all Americans. The Center would be located on the National Mall and act as a hub for developing 21st century skills and expanding opportunities through convenings, educational programs, exhibits and events. It aims to nurture connections among local innovation ecosystems in all 50 states to shape the future and ensure entrepreneurial opportunities reach every community. Realizing this vision will require leadership and support from business, political, and community leaders to build a national movement and catalyze major gifts for establishing the Center on the National Mall by 2026 for America's 250th birthday.

1. Celebrating Entrepreneurship, Invention, and Innovation by All A erican
ova on A Americans
ovation by All Am icans
vat
ati
a a
A Once-in-A-Generation Opportunity to Affect Our National Narrative
N ati
America’s 250th birthday is coming up in 2026. Now is the time to plan a major statement about
j abo
America’s purpose in the 21st century, an epochal celebration of the risk-takers, the doers, and the
-takers,
takers,
makers of things—the architects of prosperity past and those on whom future prosperity d
uture prosperit depends.
utu
ture
ure sperit
ty
e National Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
e National Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation will celebrate and support
entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation by all Americans.
rough convenings and educational programs, exhibits, and events, the Center will be home to a
state-of-the-art space for discussions, decisions, and ideas regarding innovative solutions to
national and global challenges. It will be a 24/7 hive of activities celebrating past legacies,
supporting present dynamism, and realizing future possibilities.
e Center will be a dynamic force in the life of the city where important conversations are
happening and entrepreneurs are taking action to realize their dreams. ere will be a vibrant
cross-fertilization of online engagement and in-person convenings at the Center.
By acting as a hub for the development of 21st Century skills and the expansion of 21st Century
opportunity, the Center will mobilize resources and capabilities toward the goal of ensuring that the
next century of entrepreneurial opportunity reaches every community . Nurturing connections
among local economic ecosystems in each of the 50 states that are hospitable to innovation and
entrepreneurship can have profound consequences on the shape of our shared future.
e time has come to bring the celebration of entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation in the
United States of America to our preeminent public space: the National Mall.
Leadership is Vital
e National Center is founded to become a partnership involving entrepreneurs, corporations,
foundations, government at different levels, and, above all, citizens across the country. It aims to be
operationally self-sustaining and a lasting resource for the nation and the world.
e newly launched campaign to bring the celebration of entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation
back to the Mall will build a national movement and catalyze major gis, but it will not succeed without
leadership. A tremendous opportunity exists for business, political, educational and community
leaders in every part of the United States to affect the country’s narrative by making a historical
commitment to celebrating entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation on the National Mall.
| www.ncei.us | President, Philip Auerswald m: 202.378.6438 e: auerswald@ncei.us |
A private initiative not affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution