Penny for your thoughts?

Hold on to your money, because the 2015 Kauffman Thoughtbook, released by the Kauffman Foundation, is free and available now. 

The case can be made that the sixth edition of the ongoing series is priceless, featuring more than 35 expert essays dealing with innovative ideas and emerging issues in entrepreneurship and youth education.

For the first time, the Kauffman Thoughtbook is completely digital, allowing readers easier access to new multimedia content. In addition to the essays, there are interviews, photos and videos that delve into Kauffman Foundation concepts, programs and partnerships.

And all of it has grown from the values and influential work of Kauffman Foundation founder Ewing Kauffman.

“Ewing Kauffman’s goal was to fundamentally improve human lives by enabling people to do more for themselves and society,” said Wendy Guillies, Kauffman Foundation acting president and CEO. “The challenge now is to take our work to the next level in changing times, while preserving his original intent. The Thoughtbook presents our platform for the future while remaining true to our founder’s purpose.”

Besides Kauffman Foundation program and subject matter experts, guest contributors to the 2015 Kauffman Thoughtbook include:

• 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

Topics include:

• Strategies for closing gaps in education and how cities can promote pioneering ecosystems

• Innovative strategies for increasing teacher quality

• Firsthand accounts of students attending the Ewing Marion Kauffman School

• Insights on building entrepreneurship ecosystems from in-the-field community leaders and entrepreneurship experts

• Insights on how research can enlighten policymakers to help sustain entrepreneurs and their economies