ABOUT GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity in local communities across the globe. 

In recognition of Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 15 – 21,Tennessee wants to celebrate its business owners who embrace the spirit and meaning of entrepreneurship.

This year from Nov. 14-20, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Thousands of activities are being planned across six continents in more than 100 countries around the world with partners, including universities, high schools, non-profit organizations, successful entrepreneurs and government agencies.

In 2008, Tennessee was among the USA's top states for participation, including #1 for most active partners, #1 in geographic distribution of events and partners and #1 in community/local government involvement. From events that focused on developing youth’s interest and skills in entrepreneurial pursuits (think YouTube), to providing a venue for Tennessee’s leading scientists to pitch their innovations to venture capitalists, this Week demonstrated the depth and breadth of the entrepreneurial spirit in the Volunteer state.

The 2009 campaign built upon a successful inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, during which Tennessee partners hosted more than 30 events, reaching 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners. Tennessee showcased its entrepreneurial spirit and led the nation in activities during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 16 – 23, with more than sixty events that celebrated the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery. Activities across Tennessee ranged from pitch contests and launch challenges to speaker series’ and panels from various industries, and the statewide entrepreneur video competition. In June 2010, Tennessee was awarded the 2009 Catalyst Award from GEW/USA at the Partners Forum.

For Global Entrepreneurship Week 2010, partners throughout Tennessee planned activities that both celebrated and promoted entrepreneurship, recognized local entrepreneurs and small business owners and inspired young people use their creativity and innovation. Tennessee led the nation for the third year with over 3,100 entrepreneurs and businesses attending over 75 events statewide from the States most rural areas to its most urban. Several innovative Tennessee businesses that participated in global events took top honors. For more information, visit the official website at www.tn.gov/ecd/gew.

Global Entrepreneurship Week was founded by Kauffman, The Foundation of Entrepreneurship and Enterprise UK. To view a complete list of participating countries and organizations or to learn more, visit www.unleashingideas.org.