Global Entrepreneurship Week Events Expected to Reach 160+ Countries

Nearly 10 million people are expected to participate in events during this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week, launched November 16 by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN). The first Global Entrepreneurship Week was held in 2008 with representatives from 37 countries. Now in its eighth year, more than 160 countries across the world will hold entrepreneurship-related events during the week. Although activities vary greatly in size and scope, they generally touch on three themes:

• Highlighting the role that earlystage investors play in developing entrepreneurial ecosystems;
• Spotlighting activities that inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs; and,
• Exploring the efforts of policymakers to support the development of entrepreneurs in cities.

At the onset of the week, GEN announced the launch of a new online platform for managing startup competitions. Startup Compete is a global networking site and competition platform that facilitates connections between entrepreneurs, mentors, and advisors. Nonprofit partners can pay $500 per competition to use the tool.

Other notable events facilitated by GEN during the week include:

• An update to the Global Entrepreneurship Index, offering a detailed data-driven look at entrepreneurial ecosystems across the world;
• The Startup Open, a global competition recognizing 50 of the most promising ventures that have launched since last year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week;
• One in a Million, a new pitch competition from the Kauffman Foundation that provides startups that have previously presented at a 1 Million Cups program a chance to pitch their idea to seasoned entrepreneurs; and,
• The Startup Nations Summit, a convening of policymakers, startup community leaders, and other key stakeholders that concludes the week.