We asked the Global Entrepreneur Network to tell us all about Global Entrepreneurship Week, which begins 12 November.
What is Global Entrepreneurship Week?
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch start-ups.
During one week each November, nearly 10 million people in 170 countries celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week.
It’s about offering support and guidance to the people that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.
They do this through thousands of events, activities and competitions, unleashing their ideas and making it possible for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business.
Why was it created?
Like most—if not all—new ventures, Global Entrepreneurship Week started with an idea:
What if there was a global movement to inspire people everywhere to unleash their ideas and take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey?
What happens during the week?
Global Entrepreneurship Week is about inspiring people everywhere to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.
This is done through local, national and global activities, everything from large-scale competitions and events to intimate networking gatherings.
These events are designed to help entrepreneurial participants by encouraging them to meet potential collaborators, mentors and even investors — introducing them to new possibilities and exciting opportunities.
What are the themes this year?
Global Entrepreneurship Week is celebrating four distinct themes: women, youth, inclusion and ecosystem connect.
Theme 1: Women
Studies have shown that women have lower levels of involvement in high-growth entrepreneurship than men.
Research also suggests that accelerating the rates of female entrepreneurship could have the same positive effect that the entry of women into the labour force had during the 20th century.
Global Entrepreneurship Week will celebrate female entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, investors and other start-up champions, while offering opportunities to expand their networks, identify resources and share knowledge with other women around the world.
Theme 2: Youth
Young people have more opportunities to leverage their economic freedom and create a job as stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems emerge.
Choosing to start and scale new businesses, means the youth of the world can not only change their lives but also make a bigger contribution to their communities and countries through job creation and economic renewal.
Global Entrepreneurship Week will celebrate and shape the next generation of innovators through activities and competitions to help them sharpen their skills and connect them to potential co-founders, mentors and even investors.
This theme also celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of entrepreneurship education and the teaching of innovative skills.
Theme 3: Inclusion
Race, age, gender, or location should not be an obstacle to entrepreneurship.
Anyone, anywhere should be able to realise their dream and start a business quickly, inexpensively, and without barriers.
Global Entrepreneurship Week will explore the obstacles faced by entrepreneurs from underserved populations.
It will also highlight the work start-up champions are doing around the world to minimise barriers and obstacles for entrepreneurs by maximising inclusion.
Theme 4: Ecosystem Connect
Sharing knowledge and connecting local ecosystem leaders has become increasingly important in building healthy and thriving entrepreneurial communities.
Global Entrepreneurship Week will look to inspire communities to collaborate and share their networks and markets, with the aim of expanding entrepreneurship communities and hubs around the world.
What else does the Global Entrepreneurship Network do?
The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) provides a year-round platform of programs and initiatives aimed at creating one global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
GEN helps people in more than 165 countries unleash their ideas and turn them into promising new ventures—creating jobs, accelerating innovation and strengthening economic stability around the world.
How can people get involved?
Absolutely anybody anywhere can get involved with Global Entrepreneurship Week. To find out more, visit the GEN website.
