Many of the country’s top young entrepreneurs from across the nation convene at the White House on Thursday, November 17, to be honored for being named to Empact100 list. Created by Empact in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, Opportunity International, Global Entrepreneurship Week, and the Startup America Partnership, the list recognizes the top 100 companies run by young entrepreneurs age 30 and younger.

A live broadcast can be viewed at on White House Live between 2:30pm and 5:00pm EST.

The companies on the list are responsible for more than 2,500 jobs and over $374 million in revenue.

Carl Shramm, CEO of the Kauffman Foundation says, “Young entrepreneurs are not just America’s future. They’re America’s present. The Empact100 list represents the talent and potential of today's young entrepreneurs. It is meant to inspire others to join the movement to revitalize our economy by starting a business.”

The White House recognition event honors those on the list and will feature pledges by select Empact100 list companies to give back to the field of entrepreneurship education. The pledges are made in conjunction with Empact & Opportunity International’s Future of Entrepreneurship Pledge, a concept similar to "The Giving Pledge" championed by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, but for the field of entrepreneurship. Led by pledge co-chairs Naveen Jain, founder of Moon Express and Intelius, and Brien Biondi, executive director of the Chief Executives' Organization, pledgers will commit to give back their mentorship and wealth to the field of entrepreneurship. All Empact100 list members will be challenged to fund one loan for an entrepreneur in a developing country through Opportunity International, the second largest microfinance bank in the world. “For just $142.50, a huge impact can be made. All young entrepreneurs who fund a loan will receive multiple updates from the loan recipient on how the funds were used.” 

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