Kauffman Thoughtbook 2015

The 2015 Kauffman Thoughtbook captures thoughts, ideas and discoveries made by Kauffman Foundation leaders, partners and other experts about how education and entrepreneurship are driving growth and progress in the economy and our increasingly global society. How the Foundation is working in its hometown of Kansas City also is featured content in the book.


Sixth in an ongoing series, the 2015 Kauffman Thoughtbook is a collection of essays, interviews, photos and videos that share Foundation ideas, programs, initiatives and partnerships that have grown around the principles and mission of the organization's founder, Ewing Kauffman.


In addition to Foundation program and subject matter experts, several guest authors contributed essays, such as:


— Brad Feld, author of Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City and co-founder of Techstars

— Jeff Chapman, director of economic development, state fiscal health and economic growth for The Pew Charitable Trusts

— Katherine K. Merseth, Harvard Graduate School of Education

— Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of the City of Burnsville, Minn., and former president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors


Sample topics include:


— Strategies for closing education gaps and how cities can foster innovative ecosystems

— Innovative strategies for developing teacher quality to help students make the grade

— First-hand accounts of life at a charter school from students attending the Ewing Marion Kauffman School

— Insights on building entrepreneurship ecosystems from on-the-ground community leaders and entrepreneurship experts

— Insights on how research can inform policymakers who want to support entrepreneurs and their economies, especially at the city and state levels