Report on the Future of Entrepreneurship

The Office of Advocacy of the SBA has issued a summary of a conference they sponsored on “Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century”. There is a fairly short summary that is an interesting read. More detail about the specific presentations at this conference can be found here.
Conference participants (academics and public policy folks) examine the current conditions and obstacles faced by entrepreneurs, and present a fairly accurate picture, although by no means groundbreaking.
Sadly, they take a very academic turn at the end by simply calling for more research to determine public policy options to support entrepreneurship. Much research has already been conducted around the world. This research has consistently concluded that education and breaking down governmental obstacles are the two most important policy initiatives that can help. I fear that this is an attempt to federalize entrepreneurship rather than create the free markets and educated entrepreneurs that can make it continue to flourish. Some would like to advocate for funding more governmental programs rather than advocate for entrepreneurs.