Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker to Join "Rise of the Rest" Road Tour with Steve Case

Press Release

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, chair of the Obama Administration's Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) initiative, will join the "Rise of the Rest" Road Tour on June 26th to bring attention to the rise of emerging startup economies in communities across the United States. The four-city tour across the heart of America is spearheaded by PAGE Member (and chairman & CEO of Revolution) Steve Case, and will make stops in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Nashville.

"Entrepreneurship has always been a key driver of our economic growth and success. The goal of the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship is to highlight America's thriving entrepreneurial spirit, celebrate our startup culture, and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs," said Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker "Through PAGE, we are working to take what we know about transforming innovative ideas into successful companies and share that knowledge around the country and the world. I am thrilled to be joining this road tour, led by PAGE member Steve Case, which will showcase some of America's brightest talent and celebrate the critical role startups play in local economies across the country."

The "Rise of the Rest" Road Tour will launch in Detroit on June 24th, and the bus will travel to Pittsburgh on June 25th, Cincinnati on June 26th, and conclude in Nashville on June 27th. The Rise of the Rest Road Tour is presented by Revolution, UP Global, and Google for Entrepreneurs with support from Engine and Seed Here Studio. Secretary Pritzker will join the Cincinnati leg of the tour.

Each stop along the route will feature:

· Visits to local startups, accelerators and incubators.

· Fireside chats featuring Steve Case and other entrepreneurial luminaries in a candid conversation about the local startup ecosystem.

· Local startups pitching a panel of all-star judges, with $100,000 investment at stake.

· Celebration and networking for local entrepreneurs.

More information on the "Rise of the Rest" road tour, including times and locations for specific events in each city, is available at www.riseoftherest.com and by following #riseofrest on Twitter and Instagram.

For more information about PAGE, visit www.commerce.gov/PAGE.

About the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship

The Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between 11 of America's most inspiring and prominent entrepreneurs, the White House, the Department of Commerce, and our Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development partners.

The goal of PAGE is to harness their energy, ideas, and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs both at home and abroad.

Established by the Department of Commerce, PAGE is a group of successful American businesspeople eager to share their knowledge and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs at home and abroad. Members have agreed to participate in an ongoing dialogue with policy makers globally, acting as goodwill ambassadors in discussions about how to create an environment where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship can grow and thrive. They will also participate in outreach and mentorship activities to help promote start-up culture, and energize their own personal and professional networks to challenge and inspire budding entrepreneurs and raise awareness of the many resources available to them. They will work with Entrepreneurs Across Borders, an UP Global initiative, that will connect highly successful entrepreneurs with hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world to help spark grassroots startup growth.

About Revolution

A Washington, DC-based investment firm founded by Steve Case in 2005, Revolution's mission is to build disruptive, innovative companies that offer consumers more choice, convenience, and control in their lives. Revolution seeks to create significant value for companies that are attacking large, traditional industries with innovative new products and services. The Revolution team brings proven expertise in scaling up companies and helping to expand niche ideas into mass appeal. For more information, visit www.revolution.comor follow them on Twitter: @revolution.

About UP Global

UP Global, the umbrella organization for Startup Weekend, Startup Next, Startup Digest, and Startup Education currently fosters entrepreneurship in 500 cities across the world, serving over 150,000 innovators. By 2016, the organization will support 1,000 communities through partnerships with local grassroots leaders and partnerships with organizations including Google for Entrepreneurs, the Case Foundation and Kauffman Foundation among others. For more information, visit up.co or follow them on Twitter: @UPGlobalHQ.

About Google for Entrepreneurs

Google for Entrepreneurs empowers entrepreneurs around the world through programs, partnerships, and Google products. With over 70 programs in 120 countries, Google for Entrepreneurs seeks to grow entrepreneurial communities and to equip entrepreneurs with skills and resources to pursue their big ideas. To learn about the programs, or to grow your own skills through free online courses, visit Google.com/entrepreneurs or on Google+ at google.com/+GoogleForEntrepreneurs.

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