Valor Equity Partners CEO Antonio J. Gracias Honored With Appointment To White House Presidential Entrepreneurship Initiative
CHICAGO, May 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Valor Equity Partners announced today the appointment of Founder and CEO Antonio Gracias to the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship (PAGE) Program, chaired by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. The program is a first-of-its-kind collaboration among the White House, a select group of prominent entrepreneurs, the Department of Commerce, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partners. PAGE brings together a group of America's most respected business creators who have committed to sharing their time, energy, ideas, and experience to help develop the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world.
Secretary Pritzker stated, "The expansion of PAGE will allow us to meet an ever-growing demand for entrepreneurship ambassadors in the U.S. and globally. They will share their lessons and experiences about transforming innovative ideas into thriving companies. At home, we must continue to encourage entrepreneurship as a key driver of economic growth. Abroad, we must support emerging entrepreneurs as they seek to achieve economic opportunity that leads to long-term peace and stability. President Obama and his Administration are fully committed to this task as well as to supporting and creating the conditions for entrepreneurs to succeed."
In connection with the announcement, Gracias and other new PAGE members met with President Obama and Secretary Pritzker today at the White House to present their initiatives to officials and members of the program.
"It takes tremendous courage to be an entrepreneur. These young leaders deserve our respect, support, and encouragement. I am honored to be a part of this important program that empowers young entrepreneurs around the world with the resources, training, and support they need to build the next generation of successful companies," Gracias said. "I believe entrepreneurs are the cornerstone of business and job creation in America and around the world. I am excited to help the U.S. continue a long tradition of global leadership in this area through the PAGE program."
PAGE members have agreed to participate in an ongoing dialogue with policy makers globally, acting as goodwill ambassadors in discussions about how to create an environment where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship can grow and thrive. They will participate in outreach and mentorship activities, as well as energize their own networks to challenge and inspire new entrepreneurs. Current PAGE members include Steve Case, Tory Burch, Salman Khan, Rich Barton, and others. All of the PAGE members are profiled on the Department of Commerce's website at www.commerce.gov/PAGE.
About Valor Equity Partners:
Valor Equity Partners is an operationally active private equity firm focused on making expansion, growth and buyout investments. The firm partners with talented management teams, providing active operational support to assist in accelerating growth and improvement within their companies. Valor employs a differentiated and flexible investment model designed to identify companies with unconstrained market opportunities, but exhibiting internal constraints to growth. To help accelerate growth in these businesses, Valor has a dedicated team of professionals with operating experience who focus on driving improvements and growth initiatives in portfolio companies. Over the last 19 years, the firm has made 64 investments in 34 platforms in various sectors, including consumer, industrial & infrastructure, and manufacturing. The firm currently is investing out of its third fund. More information regarding Valor and its team can be found at www.valorep.com.
SOURCE Valor Equity Partners
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