atch live: White House Demo Day

Here's an entrepreneurship stat that will probably shock you -- but it's not a typo:

A 2010 analysis found that just 1 percent of seed and early-stage venture funding nationally went to company founders who were black. (And in New York City, it was even less than that.)

Anyone with a good idea should be able to access the resources to help make it a reality -- and that's why today, we're hosting the first-ever White House Demo Day and announcing independent commitments from companies who are stepping up to advance inclusive entrepreneurship.

You can watch live here starting at 2 p.m. ET -- and in the meantime, learn more about the entrepreneurs who are here today and watch a video of U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith surprising them with the news that they'd be coming to the White House.

In the startup world, a "demo day" is when entrepreneurs make pitches to prospective funders. The one we're hosting today is a little different.

We've invited a diverse set of startups from across the country -- including those traditionally underrepresented in entrepreneurship, like women and people of color -- to come present their ideas. Some of them will present to the President (fun fact: today's also his birthday!).

Watch live here, and learn more.

Thanks,

The White House Team

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