Kauffman Sponsors 'Express Your Pledge' Challenge to Entrepreneurs For Chance at Ticket to 'Big Omaha'

Competition invites entrepreneurs to express what being a founder means to them

The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is inviting entrepreneurs to read its "Entrepreneur's Pledge," and express what it means to them for a chance to win a ticket to Big Omaha, a sold-out event billed as "the nation's most ambitious conference on innovation and entrepreneurship," to be held May 11-13, 2011 in Omaha, Neb.

�The Foundation created the "Pledge" for entrepreneurs to not only publicly express their enthusiasm for being a business owner, but also to show their support for entrepreneurship as a cause.

Big Omaha's "Express Your Pledge" competition asks entrepreneurs to review the Pledge and explain in 300 words or less what it means to them and at least two ways they could do a better job fulfilling it.

�"Like the Pledge itself, Big Omaha's competition gives founders a chance to voice what it means to contribute to our communities and the economy every day, and to have an opportunity to win a seat at Big Omaha," said Nick Seguin, manager of entrepreneurship at the Kauffman Foundation.

More than 500 innovators and entrepreneurs are expected to attend Big Omaha, which will feature speakers such as Shervin Pishevar, founder and CEO of Social Gaming Network, and Sarah Lacy, senior editor at TechCrunch.

Competition entrants each must complete an online application . Entries are due by April 29, 2011, and the winner will be announced the week of May 2. The winning entrant will be responsible for all travel expenses.

�The Entrepreneur's Pledge:

I am�an Entrepreneur.

I am�following a dream, pursuing an opportunity, taking charge of my own destiny.

I am�bringing something of value to society, making a job for myself and for others, and creating wealth that benefits my family, my community, my country, my world.

I am�one of a movement of millions of entrepreneurs and innovators who made America great, and who will continue to keep our economy going...and growing.

I am�what I am because many people have helped me along on this journey.

Therefore:

I will�tell my story, sharing my successes and failures, so that others taking the entrepreneurial path can learn.

I will�strive to mentor an aspiring entrepreneur.

I will�make my voice heard by those who make policy decisions that affect me and my business.

I will�appreciate and celebrate my accomplishments, and the accomplishments of all my fellow entrepreneurs.

I will�give back to the society that helped me to be successful.

I will�Build a Stronger America.

Marisa Tomei Padma Lakshmi Carmen Electra America Ferrera Cristina Dumitru