Endeavor Global (Endeavor) is a global nonprofit organization promoting high-impact entrepreneurship in emerging and growth markets. Launched in 1998, with headquarters in New York, City, its’ first entrepreneur funding was in Argentina. To date, Endeavor has funded entrepreneurial projects throughout Latin American, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.
High-impact entrepreneurs create thriving companies that employ thousands of people and generate millions in wages and revenues. They have the power to inspire others as role models, and together, these entrepreneurs hold the key to sustained economic growth in emerging markets.
As a mission statement, Endeavor is leading the global movement to catalyze long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring, and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs around the world.
Endeavor supports more than 750 entrepreneurs who undergo a rigorous screening and selection process before being approved for funding. They have screened more that 30,000 entrepreneurs and selected 766 individuals who head 476 high-impact companies. As of the end of 2011, Endeavor funded companies have created approximately 200,000 jobs, generating more than $4 billion in 2011 revenues. In 2011 alone, Endeavor funded companies raised $100 million in venture capital and angel funding.
In addition to funding, those entrepreneurs chosen receive access to mentors and a volunteer advisory board of local business leaders as well as access to international networks that include, but is not limited to, entrepreneurs such as Reid Hoffman, co-founder and executive chairman of Linkedin, Diego Piacentini, Sr. Vice President of International Retail Consumer at Amazon International, and Robert Polet, former CEO of Gucci. There are also programs that provide interns from top business schools and professionals from Ernst & Young.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently announced it will provide a donation to Endeavor of $2 million for grant funding over a five year period for Endeavor’s first funding projects in the United States.
Through the Miami office of Endeavor, South Florida’s entrepreneurs will be able to apply to become Endeavor entrepreneurs, to secure funding and connect them to a global network of mentors and advisors. Peter Kellner, co-founder of Endeavor and an Endeavor board member, an investor, and resident of South Florida said, “There are commitments from large institutions like Knight, FIU, UM, there is capital, there are people that are interested in making things happen, there are already clusters of activity like accelerators and incubators. That’s where Endeavor thrives.”
Based on its past success, the addition of Endeavor to the South Florida business landscape can be viewed as a positive step in innovation and job creation in the area.
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