Foundation and Innovation program presented at MIT Enterprise Forum

A good indication of how far the foundation has come is indicated by the fact we were invited to speak about our work in developing innovation & entrepreneurship competencies among youth in Bosnia & Herzegovina at the world famous MIT Enterprise Forum.

The foundation’s work, specifically the Innovation nation program was the central discussion point at the MIT Enterprise Forum panel that featured: -

Dina H. Sherif - Director of Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT
- Barry Shoop, Ph.D., P.E. - Retired US Army Brigadier General, Professor and Head of Engineeing at United States Military Academy at West Point and now Dean of Engineering The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
- Elizabeth MacBride, Founder Times of Entrepreneurship
- U.S. Ambassador to BiH Eric Nelson

The impact of innovation and entrepreneurship on the economy and society more broadly cannot be overstated. The impact goes beyond aspects such as increased productivity, competitiveness, and job creation, and crosses over into infrastructure, the environment, political stability, regulation and social inclusion.

Disparity between resource distribution means that students & young professionals, budding entrepreneurs, in countries with a low GDP don’t have access to the same education, coaching and investment opportunities. “Innovation Nation” is an initiative by IEEE, the world’s largest professional organization, designed to help educate youth and promote entrepreneurship in low-GDP countries. Having its roots in Bosnia & Herzegovina, now running in Sri Lanka, Jamaica and Malaysia, the initiative works on establishing a network of startups, investors, industry, and academia to support the grassroots initiatives that enhance the visibility of startups in low-GDP countries. We are bringing together a diverse, world-class panel, that will shed some light on why innovation & entrepreneurship are critical to the economic development in developing nations, and how grassroots initiatives can play a pivotal role in the overall prosperity of nations.