top 5 active countries
Global Entrepreneurship Week / global post
U.S. States Ranked by Readiness for Global Economy
Five states—Massachusetts, Washington, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey—are leading the United States’ transformation into a global, entrepreneurial and knowledge- and innovation-based New Economy, according to The 2008 State New Economy Index, released today by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF). The report is being released during Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people around the world to embrace imagination, innovation and creativity.
“Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates the New Economy attributes that are measured in this report,” said Robert Litan, vice president of Research & Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. “The New Economy is creating profound, irreversible changes in the U.S. economic structure at a pace we would not have imagined even a decade ago. Innovators in the United States—and worldwide—are increasingly investing in resources to compete based on this new reality.”
Mississippi and West Virginia ranked lowest among the states in making the transition to the New Economy. The other lowest-scoring states include, in reverse order, Arkansas, Alabama and Wyoming.
Regionally, the New Economy has taken the strongest hold in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Mountain West and Pacific regions; 14 of the top 20 states are in these four regions. In contrast, 16 of the 20 lowest-ranking states are in the Midwest, Great Plains and Southern regions.
The State New Economy Index measures states’ economic structures. Rather than measuring state economic performance or state economic policies, the Index focuses more narrowly on a single question: To what degree does the structure of state economies match the ideal structure of the New Economy?
The Index builds on the 1999, 2002 and 2007 reports, using 29 indicators to rank each state on the extent to which its economy is structured and operates to effectively compete nationally and globally. It divides the indicators into five categories that best capture what is new about the New Economy: knowledge jobs, globalization, economic dynamism, transformation to a digital economy and technological innovation capacity.
The principal driver of the New Economy, according to the Index, is the information technology revolution that, since the mid-1990s, has driven increased productivity and transformed virtually all industries. This “IT engine” is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. For the foreseeable future, the most promising New Economy advances will relate to a state’s ability to use information more effectively.
“These and other opportunities and challenges mean that, to succeed in the New Economy, states face a new imperative to boost the competitiveness of their economies—not just relative to each other, but to other nations,” said Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and primary author of the Index. “If they are going to meet the economic challenges of the future, states will need to overhaul their familiar approaches to economic development.”
States at the top of the ranking tend to have a high concentration of managers, professionals and college-educated residents working in “knowledge jobs”—those that require at least a two-year degree. With only a few exceptions, manufacturers in these top-ranking states generally are more geared toward global markets, both in terms of export orientation and the amount of foreign direct investments.
All the states at the top of the ranking—even those that are not growing rapidly in employment—also show above-average levels of entrepreneurship. Most are at the forefront of the information technology and Internet revolutions, with a large share of their institutions and residents embracing the digital economy. Most have a solid innovation infrastructure that fosters and supports technological innovation, and many have high levels of domestic and foreign immigration of highly mobile, highly skilled knowledge workers coupled with a good quality of life.
While lower-ranking states face challenges, they also can take advantage of new opportunities. The information technology revolution makes it easier for businesses to relocate, or start up and grow in less densely populated states farther away from existing agglomerations of industry and commerce. Moreover, notwithstanding the recent decline in housing prices, metropolitan areas in many of the top states suffer from high costs and near-gridlock on their roads. Both factors may make locating in less-congested metros, many in lower-ranking states, more attractive.
In addition to 2008, Massachusetts topped the 1999, 2002 and 2007 State Index lists. Washington, which ranked fourth in 2007 and second in 2002, has moved back to second place, scoring high due to its strength in software and aviation. Maryland, with its high concentration of knowledge workers, maintains the third-place rank it held in 2007.
Between 2007 and 2008, most states and the United States as a whole made sustained progress toward the New Economy. Of the 23 indicators that were comparable between 2008 and 2007, overall the United States increased on 16 and decreased on seven, for a net increase of nine indicators.
Among the states, only 11 regressed, and 36 increased. Of the decliners, Mississippi led the way, falling in twice as many indicators as it increased, while Wyoming and Indiana also fell (a net of -6 and -5, respectively). In contrast, many more states saw significant increases in movement to a New Economy. Nine saw at least twice as many indicators increasing as decreasing, with Arizona, California and North Carolina showing the most progress.
Given some states' reputations as technology-based, New Economy states, their scores seem surprising at first. For example, North Carolina and New Mexico rank 24th and 29th, respectively, in spite of the fact that the region around Research Triangle Park (in the Raleigh-Durham metro area) boasts top universities, a highly educated workforce, cutting-edge technology companies and global connections, while the Albuquerque region is home to leading national laboratories and an appealing quality of life. In both cases, however, many parts of the state outside these metropolitan regions are more rooted in the old economy. As these examples reveal, most state economies are, in fact, a composite of many regional economies that differ in the degree to which their economies are structured in accordance with New Economy factors.
With the economic indicators as a reference, the Index also outlines a detailed and innovative public policy framework of “best practices” that state officials can use as a guide to transform their economies and ensure rising standards of living for their residents.
“Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrates the New Economy attributes that are measured in this report,” said Robert Litan, vice president of Research & Policy at the Kauffman Foundation. “The New Economy is creating profound, irreversible changes in the U.S. economic structure at a pace we would not have imagined even a decade ago. Innovators in the United States—and worldwide—are increasingly investing in resources to compete based on this new reality.”
Mississippi and West Virginia ranked lowest among the states in making the transition to the New Economy. The other lowest-scoring states include, in reverse order, Arkansas, Alabama and Wyoming.
Regionally, the New Economy has taken the strongest hold in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, Mountain West and Pacific regions; 14 of the top 20 states are in these four regions. In contrast, 16 of the 20 lowest-ranking states are in the Midwest, Great Plains and Southern regions.
The State New Economy Index measures states’ economic structures. Rather than measuring state economic performance or state economic policies, the Index focuses more narrowly on a single question: To what degree does the structure of state economies match the ideal structure of the New Economy?
The Index builds on the 1999, 2002 and 2007 reports, using 29 indicators to rank each state on the extent to which its economy is structured and operates to effectively compete nationally and globally. It divides the indicators into five categories that best capture what is new about the New Economy: knowledge jobs, globalization, economic dynamism, transformation to a digital economy and technological innovation capacity.
The principal driver of the New Economy, according to the Index, is the information technology revolution that, since the mid-1990s, has driven increased productivity and transformed virtually all industries. This “IT engine” is unlikely to slow down anytime soon. For the foreseeable future, the most promising New Economy advances will relate to a state’s ability to use information more effectively.
“These and other opportunities and challenges mean that, to succeed in the New Economy, states face a new imperative to boost the competitiveness of their economies—not just relative to each other, but to other nations,” said Dr. Robert D. Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation and primary author of the Index. “If they are going to meet the economic challenges of the future, states will need to overhaul their familiar approaches to economic development.”
States at the top of the ranking tend to have a high concentration of managers, professionals and college-educated residents working in “knowledge jobs”—those that require at least a two-year degree. With only a few exceptions, manufacturers in these top-ranking states generally are more geared toward global markets, both in terms of export orientation and the amount of foreign direct investments.
All the states at the top of the ranking—even those that are not growing rapidly in employment—also show above-average levels of entrepreneurship. Most are at the forefront of the information technology and Internet revolutions, with a large share of their institutions and residents embracing the digital economy. Most have a solid innovation infrastructure that fosters and supports technological innovation, and many have high levels of domestic and foreign immigration of highly mobile, highly skilled knowledge workers coupled with a good quality of life.
While lower-ranking states face challenges, they also can take advantage of new opportunities. The information technology revolution makes it easier for businesses to relocate, or start up and grow in less densely populated states farther away from existing agglomerations of industry and commerce. Moreover, notwithstanding the recent decline in housing prices, metropolitan areas in many of the top states suffer from high costs and near-gridlock on their roads. Both factors may make locating in less-congested metros, many in lower-ranking states, more attractive.
In addition to 2008, Massachusetts topped the 1999, 2002 and 2007 State Index lists. Washington, which ranked fourth in 2007 and second in 2002, has moved back to second place, scoring high due to its strength in software and aviation. Maryland, with its high concentration of knowledge workers, maintains the third-place rank it held in 2007.
Between 2007 and 2008, most states and the United States as a whole made sustained progress toward the New Economy. Of the 23 indicators that were comparable between 2008 and 2007, overall the United States increased on 16 and decreased on seven, for a net increase of nine indicators.
Among the states, only 11 regressed, and 36 increased. Of the decliners, Mississippi led the way, falling in twice as many indicators as it increased, while Wyoming and Indiana also fell (a net of -6 and -5, respectively). In contrast, many more states saw significant increases in movement to a New Economy. Nine saw at least twice as many indicators increasing as decreasing, with Arizona, California and North Carolina showing the most progress.
Given some states' reputations as technology-based, New Economy states, their scores seem surprising at first. For example, North Carolina and New Mexico rank 24th and 29th, respectively, in spite of the fact that the region around Research Triangle Park (in the Raleigh-Durham metro area) boasts top universities, a highly educated workforce, cutting-edge technology companies and global connections, while the Albuquerque region is home to leading national laboratories and an appealing quality of life. In both cases, however, many parts of the state outside these metropolitan regions are more rooted in the old economy. As these examples reveal, most state economies are, in fact, a composite of many regional economies that differ in the degree to which their economies are structured in accordance with New Economy factors.
With the economic indicators as a reference, the Index also outlines a detailed and innovative public policy framework of “best practices” that state officials can use as a guide to transform their economies and ensure rising standards of living for their residents.
Update from Shanghai
Themed with “Unleashing Ideas, Enlightening China”, the 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Week China opened on Nov. 18th, 2008 in Shanghai Institute of Visual Art. On the stage were graduate entrepreneur representatives sharing their experience and personal feeling of entrepreneurship; off the stage, hundreds of college students were appreciating, either inspired by the idea of entrepreneurship or had their passion for innovation released; while behind the curtain were government officials who had been giving their vigorous support to entrepreneurs, in terms of finance, policy environment and mental encouragement. Present at the Ceremony were Yan Junqi, Vice Chairwoman of the Standing Committee of NPC, President of China Association for Promoting Democracy and President of the Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Foundation for Graduates; Cao Jianlin, Vice Minister of Science & Technology; Zhao Qinping, Vice Minister of Education; Shen Xiaoming, Vice Mayor of Shanghai Municipality and Wang Xinkui, Vice President of CPPCC Shanghai Municipality. Wan Gang, Vice President of CPPCC and Minister of Science & Technology; and Yu Zhengsheng, Member of CPC Political Bureau and General-secretary of CPC Shanghai Committee sent their congratulations letters to the Opening Ceremony.
Fostering Entrepreneurial Culture in Post-Communist and Post-Conflict Serbia
Within its activities in GEW, the Center for Contemporary Education has launched the website Preduzmi! dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial culture in Serbia. As a post-conflict and post-communist society, Serbia has distinctive features that need to be coped with in order to provide a sustainable solution. The most important is the crisis of values. In communism, entrepreneurship wasn’t well thought of, and capitalist was a swearword. During the nineties crisis, the businessmen was, in fact, a criminal.
These conditions have created a mindset opposite to entrepreneurial spirit, jeopardizing any further development: legal, economic or other. This is why we define it as a presupposition for entrepreneurship, hence the title of the site: “Preduslovi za preduzetništvo“.
In order to remove obstacles and increase capacity of Serbian society, we find and make visible the best practices from Serbian history proving the existence of an entrepreneurial culture that was forgotten. The presuppositions provided in this way are sustainable, since they are already present inside Serbian society, and easily adopted, since they are familiar.
South Korea Focuses On Its Entrepreneurs
South Korea is hosting its first Global Entrepreneurship Week conference entitled, "Strategies for Future Entrepreneurs" on Monday, November 17, 2008 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul, Korea. The Korea Institute for Future Strategies (KIFS) is hosting this event in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Kauffman Foundation, Maeil Economic Daily, and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Representatives from the Korea’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Kauffman Foundation, and KIFS will give remarks. Plus, there will be panel discussions including speakers from Seoul National University, Korea University, Korea Regulatory Reform Committee, Gyeonggi Research Institute, Hanyang University, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Samsung Electronics, Ernst and Young, The Carlyle Group, and McKinney Consulting. This event discusses future entrepreneurs as new engines of economic growth and the need for concerted efforts between states, companies, and individuals in encouraging and fostering new entrepreneurs. We’re very excited for Korea to officially participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week through this groundbreaking event.
Host name: Korea Institute for Future StrategiesMedia Name: Mihyun HanMedia Email: mhhan@kifs.orgMedia Phone: +82-779-0711
Croatia Contributes Entrepreneurial Anthem
A Croatian rock group, Cota G4, has released an entrepreneurial anthem in honor of the first-ever Global Entrepreneurship Week. "Let's Do It Together" was contributed by Katarina Jagic of UMIS-SMEA (Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Association), the Host of Global Entrepreneurship Week / Croatia. The lyrics and music were written by Dinko Jankovic. The song was sung by Marko Osmanovic and Chris Hayword.
anthem.mp3 - Dinko Jankovic
France Expects 1 Million Participants
Global Entrepreneurship Week is full of ambitious events, however France is taking it to the next level with the launch of "Les Journées de l'Entrepreneur." With 1,000 events taking place across France and more than 1 million participants, the week is certain to change the way France looks at entrepreneurship.
Not to be left out, the French Government is taking this opportunity to unveil its new department, aptly named "Auto-Entrepreneur." Coming fully online in 2009, this entity is defined by Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State in charge of Trade and Industry, as an "anticrisis weapon." This new legal entity will be accessible to all salaried employees, young people, the unemployed, and the retired, who are seeking to start their own businesses to create extra income or to explore their passions.
As a result, the Secretary of State hopes to see the creation of 100,000 self-employed citizens during the first half of 2009, and a similar figure for the second half of the year. Eventually, the program hopes to up this number to 500,000 annually. The Secretary of State is "very proud of this government" which he believes represents a modern society, eager to create. To find out more about this initiative visit www.lautoentrepreneur.fr.
Here are some highlights from the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week:
Three students from the Optical Institute Graduate School received a prize for the best "student entrepreneur" for their comprehension of environmental technology.
A Female Entrepreneurship round table dedicated to coaching women who want to set up their own businesses was hosted with the help of experienced managers.Three-hundred entrepreneurs from Northern France posed for a giant photograph on the "Place du Theatre" in Lille, in order to support entrepreneurship in their region.
The MEDEF (French employers organization), inaugurated "School-Enterprise Week" in Lyon, the partner town of the "Journées de l'Entrepreneur."
Gisborne Kicks It Off in 2008!
Gisborne hosted the first event of Global Entrepreneur Week this year - Check out the happenings below!
Robots Surround Germany
Robotics is at the cutting edge of business. From fully automated factories to robotic personal assistants, the future for these helpers is nearly boundless. With demonstrations, workshops, and educational displays, visitors can explore the worlds of robotics and technology at The Robots Are Around event in association with Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The more than 80 experiments and stations explore all areas of the science of robotics. Activities will appeal to students as well as families and youth groups. Experts will be on hand to answer questions and to speak on various topics from the technical to the philosophical.
Endeavor Summit to Highlight Week in Chile
The Endeavor Summit in Chile will bring together entrepreneurs from all over the globe to discuss and analyze trends in entrepreneurship. Entirely open to the public, the conference will be bring together everyone from the founder of Chilean Gourmet to the head of Microsoft in Chile.
The schedule brings three important issues to the table, how to utilize web 2.0 for your business, how to infuse your business with passion and the challenge of starting over again. These diverse topics all stick to the mantra of the summit: "Searching for the heroes who want to change the world."
Sponsored by Innova Chile Corfo, IDB, Chile Entrepreneurs and Capital Magazine the event is kicking off on Nov. 19 at the CasaPiedra.
Bolivia Ignites the Spirit of Entrepreneurship
Bolivia will be a vibrant place to be during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The members of the Entrepreneurial Bolivia Network (“Red Bolivia Emprendedora”) have planned activities that will not only celebrate entrepreneurship across the country, but that will generate further calls for action to protect and improve the culture of entrepreneurship among the Latin American youth.
In La Paz, for example, the Entrepreneurial Bolivia Network will gather on Nov 17th young Latin American entrepreneurs and leaders for the Second Meeting on International Entrepreneurship Culture. This event is envisioned as a forum to share experiences, discuss ideas and create a call for policies that support youth entrepreneurship. Prior to the event’s workshops, guest speakers will provide an overview of the current state of Latin American entrepreneurial culture, highlighting programs that have been supporting young entrepreneurs. During the intercessions, participants will have an opportunity to take part in the worldwide activity Speed Network in which they will have further opportunities to connect with institutions and entrepreneurs with similar interests.
Five other cities will host more than 20 activities that will highlight to their young the opportunities for entrepreneurship available in the country. In Santa Cruz, El Alto, Cochabamba, Tarija, Sucre and La Paz, different institutions are organizing entrepreneurship contests, such as business plan competitions for high school and university students. These competitions will be followed by entrepreneurship fairs that will show the power of entrepreneurial thinking.
Bolivians can also celebrate entrepreneurship by participating in the online MESE contest. Here, teams of university students will engage in a virtual competition that will test and enhance their opportunity recognition, management and business development skills and capabilities.
The momentum has been building since these projects and activities have been launched earlier this year, and young Bolivians will carry it on after Global Entrepreneurship week as they continue to generate and refine business ideas, and perhaps embark on an entrepreneurial career path.
Macedonia Looks Ahead to the Week
Something big is about to happen in Macedonia. Youth Entrepreneurial Service (YES) Foundation and Strengthening Entrepreneurship Competitiveness and Innovation (SECI) Project will be hosting 70 events in 10 cities across Macedonia.
Supported by the UK and Norwegian Ambassadors in Skopje, Global Entrepreneurship Week events will address the youth in the country with the ultimate goal of stimulating their entrepreneurial spirit. Activities including business plan competitions, training seminars, and networking events will focus on engaging young entrepreneurs. Also, during the conference the public, business and non-governmental sectors will be engaged to increase their support and investment in new businesses.
During the past several months, Macedonian hosts managed to secure support of nine sponsoring organizations and eleven media groups. With their help, Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008 will be announced at a press conference on November 11th at the Holiday Inn hotel. Local hosts and partners will join the Conference with their own activities to form the largest entrepreneurship event ever held in Macedonia. The main event will be held at the hotel Aleksandar Palace, where a five-day conference will follow.
Additionally, private and public universities, kindergartens, and institutes will host their own events. The Vice Prime minister of Macedonia, the Minister of Economy, the rector of the Macedonia UKIM and the Norwegian and UK ambassador in Macedonia will all speak at the opening ceremonies of this historic event.
Danish Minister Says "Start a Business -- Promote Growth"
Lene Espersen to preside over an enterprise summit to launch the largest ever campaign for Danish entrepreneurs and growth companies.
Week 47 will see the launch of the largest ever initiative aimed at pro-moting growth and entrepreneurship in Denmark. In partnership with a number of private and public organisations and institutions, the Danish vice Prime Minister of Economic and Business Affairs Lene Espersen will spearhead the campaign “Start a Business – Promote Growth”. The campaign will comprise more than 100 events designed for people who want to start their own business or are looking for ways of growing an existing business. It will bring Denmark closer to the Government’s ambitious aim to ensure that Denmark ranks among the most enterprising societies in the world.
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Economic and Business Affairs, Lene Espersen, comments:
“As minister of Economic and Business Affairs I am proud to be hosting Global Entrepreneurship Week in Denmark. I see Global Entrepreneurship Week as a great opportunity to spread the message globally that in-novative and entrepreneurial ideas are key instruments in addressing some of the challenges of today. I believe that this is a message of great importance. Since 2001 the Danish government has implemented many programmes and initiatives on entrepreneurship. With this campaign we are taking the entrepreneurship agenda to the next level. We will ask all key players, institutions and organisations in Denmark to commit to a joint effort to strengthen Danish entrepreneurship and innovation.”
Week 47 will offer more than 100 advisory sessions, idea competitions, workshops and presentations across Denmark. These events are designed to appeal to a wide audience - from executives with growth ambitions to inventors in schools and students attracted to the idea of becoming entrepreneurs.
See the week's programme at: www.uge47.dk
Excitement Builds in France -- More than 1,000 Activities Planned
Journees de l'Entrepreneur, the French hosts for Global Entrepreneurship Week, have done a tremendous job in catalyzing a set of high-impact events across France during global e-week. More than 1000 events are planned which will engage more than 300 organizations, 500,000 entrepreneurs and 500,000 other young people and students as well as mobilize key players in the entrepreneurial ecosystem across France, including those in creative arts, business, innovation and research.
The week in France will be kicked off with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Ceremony and will be followed by a series of events in Paris and across the country. Other highlights in Paris include an entrepreneurship conference "Entrepreneurs: A Cultural Revolution" at the Sorbonne in Paris, a venture financing conference and a series of programs run by member organization which will include programs at schools and universities, enterprise visits and speed networking.
Highlights from around the country include "The school/enterprise week", in which thousands of events are organized bringing together Entrepreneurs, young people and teachers, all over France, "The Week of Business Angels"
with events in 5 cities in 5 days and a series of entrepreneurship conferences, competitions, expositions, "open doors" and other events in major cities across France. A media center has been set up to share information about the week and a Barometer on entrepreneurship in France will be launched during the week.
"Les Journées de l'Entrepreneur" has mobilized the public and private sector as well as the schools and universities, with the support of major sponsors such as [Lyon, Ville de l'Entrepreneuriat], and Orange, to engage in activities during the week and to share the message about entrepreneurship, particularly in these economic times, in which entrepreneurship is more critical than ever before.
The week in France will be kicked off with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Ceremony and will be followed by a series of events in Paris and across the country. Other highlights in Paris include an entrepreneurship conference "Entrepreneurs: A Cultural Revolution" at the Sorbonne in Paris, a venture financing conference and a series of programs run by member organization which will include programs at schools and universities, enterprise visits and speed networking.
Highlights from around the country include "The school/enterprise week", in which thousands of events are organized bringing together Entrepreneurs, young people and teachers, all over France, "The Week of Business Angels"
with events in 5 cities in 5 days and a series of entrepreneurship conferences, competitions, expositions, "open doors" and other events in major cities across France. A media center has been set up to share information about the week and a Barometer on entrepreneurship in France will be launched during the week.
"Les Journées de l'Entrepreneur" has mobilized the public and private sector as well as the schools and universities, with the support of major sponsors such as [Lyon, Ville de l'Entrepreneuriat], and Orange, to engage in activities during the week and to share the message about entrepreneurship, particularly in these economic times, in which entrepreneurship is more critical than ever before.
One Week Until Global Innovation Tournament Object Announced
In one week, an ordinary, everyday object will be unveiled as the central focus of the Global Innovation Tournament, hosted by Stanford University. The Tournament is a test of creativity, originality and innovation. Teams of any size from across the globe are competing to create the most “value” out of this mystery object. Value can be determined in any way and it is up to each team to implement their ideas on how to create value.
The object will be revealed November 12, 2008. To host or take part in the activity check out www.unleashingideas.org/globalinnovation where you can register to take part as well as see what creative ideas students had in previous years.
Sunrise Opening for the Week in Sydney
Global Entrepreneurship Week/Australia will start with a 'sunrise' opening at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney on 17 November.
A breakfast with 100 invited guests will be held in the Circular Quay Terrace- space is limited, and it will be a room full of inspiring contacts- ideas and influence!
Are you going to be in Sydney and want to hear more? Contact us at ideas@socialalchemy.com.au.
Creativity World Forum
The Creativity World Forum aims to inspire you to be creative. Held in Antwerp, Belgium in 2008, the Forum acts as a place for entrepreneurs, knowledge workers and policy makers from around the globe to listen to inspiring speakers, exchange ideas and experiences and, of course, network. This years keynote speakers include renowned actor John Cleese, Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple computers, and Chris Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Wired Magazine. The theme of the event is “Inspiration Quotient” and events and panels will focus on the ability to stretch an individuals “IQ” and become more creative.
World Speednetworking Tour draws to an exciting close in London
During the months of September and October, one man and his whistle speednetworked the globe in an action packed 12 city, 24 day race around the world. Oli Barrett, networking guru and Global Entrepreneurship Week Ambassador inspired people around the world to start talking ideas – and to make them happen – in cities as far away as Toronto, Sydney, Santiago and Kuala Lumpur.
The last two legs of Oli’s trip are taking him back to Europe. Trinity Entrepreneurial Society is hosting the penultimate Speednetworking event at Trinity College Dublin on 6 October and the final event is being hosted the very next day by the newly launched SOAS Investment and Entrepreneurial Society at the University of London.
Check out the pictures and videos from the world Speednetworking tour!
The last two legs of Oli’s trip are taking him back to Europe. Trinity Entrepreneurial Society is hosting the penultimate Speednetworking event at Trinity College Dublin on 6 October and the final event is being hosted the very next day by the newly launched SOAS Investment and Entrepreneurial Society at the University of London.
Check out the pictures and videos from the world Speednetworking tour!
Russell Simmons to Host the Race to BE.
Hip-hop pioneer and entrepreneur Russell Simmons will serve as the host of the Race to BE., the signature event of Global Entrepreneurship Week/USA.
The competition will focus on the genres of film, music and fashion and encourage young people to leverage their artistic abilities into entrepreneurial endeavors. Each competition will take place in its respective artistic center: Los Angeles (film), Austin (music) and New York (fashion).
Applications are being accepted for contestants--between the ages of 18 and 29--who are asked to submit samples of their existing creative work online at www.racetobeusa.com.
The Best Technological Innovation 2008
The competition for the Best Technological Innovation is a unique competition in Serbia, which both promotes creativity and teaches participants how to break through to the market (www.inovacija.org). Also, it provides the participants with the necessary media attention and financial support.
The competition was organized in 2005, 2006 and 2007. During the three years 2747 participants organized in teams, and 877 innovations were registered. The best ones, judged by an extremely strict rating system, have been developed into business plans. The overall number of finished business plans during the three years amounts to 283, based on which 32 new companies have so far been founded.
The competition continues to promote business climate in Serbia, helping both the potential and existing entrepreneurs find their way from the idea to the market.
Learn more about Global Entrepreneurship Week/Serbia.
Speednetwork the Globe Tour to Touch Six Continents
During Global Entrepreneurship Week, join others across the world and run a Speednetworking event to unleash energy, share ideas and make connections - fast. Be part of something big, as people all over the world start talking ideas to address some of society's biggest issues.
Speednetworking is a fun, high energy way to connect people. It can last 3 minutes or a whole hour. Every participant will create a new network of useful contacts. Speednetworking is the easiest way to get connected - fast!
One man and his whistle are speednetworking the world in a whistlestop wander across 6 continents! Oli Barrett, the speednetworking expert and Global Entrepreneurship Week Ambassador will be coming to a country near you.
Catch up with Oli!
Speednetworking is a fun, high energy way to connect people. It can last 3 minutes or a whole hour. Every participant will create a new network of useful contacts. Speednetworking is the easiest way to get connected - fast!
One man and his whistle are speednetworking the world in a whistlestop wander across 6 continents! Oli Barrett, the speednetworking expert and Global Entrepreneurship Week Ambassador will be coming to a country near you.
Catch up with Oli!
75 Countries to Participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week
With the recent addition of Honduras, the number of countries officially and fully participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week has climbed to seventy-five. Venezuela, Lebanon, Barbados, Egypt, Lithuania, and Serbia have also signed up to take part within the past two week as momentum continues to build around the world.
View a full list of countries and the Hosts that are coordinating efforts in those countries.180 Sites in Paraguay Set for the Week
The 21 regional chapters of Fundacion Paraguaya, Peace Corps Paraguay, and others will be working to make the Week a success at over 180 sites in Paraguay. Other events during the Week will include an essay contest and a web page contest award hosted with cooperation from the private sector and USAID.
Stay tuned to the Paraguay page for more information.
Bulgaria Starts to Unveil Plans
In Bulgaria, three major events are planned so far for the Week: an open classroom-style pilot program placing businesspeople with students in creative problem-solving and enterprising situations; a "Skills@Work" challenge designed to get young people aged 15-18 thinking innovatively while embracing the Junior Achievement tenet of learning by doing; and the annual national entrepreneurship competition in Sofia, Bulgaria for students under 12.
Stay tuned to the Bulgaria page for more information.
Unleashing Ideas, Enlightening China
Global Entrepreneurship Week/China was officially announced recently by the Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Foundation for Graduates with a theme of "Unleashing Ideas, Enlightening China." More than one hundred people attended the launch, including renowned employers, entrepreneurs, entrepreneurial scholars and mentors, government officials and members of the broader community. During the launch festivities, Tang Min, Vice Secretary of the China Reform and Development Foundation, said, “It is necessary to build a platform for entrepreneurial education, plant the seed of entrepreneurship in the heart of youth.” At the end of the ceremony, the chair of the host organization, Ms. Yan Junqi, announced that the Week was officially launched.
Activities are planned in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. More information will be posted soon to the China page.
Why a Global Entrepreneurship Week?
Entrepreneurs drive economic growth as all countries depend on the aspirations and ideas of their people to innovate, create jobs and prosper. Ever-faster means of communication and increasing ease of travel make it easier for entrepreneurs to start up and succeed on a global stage. But nations must do more than just rely on these trends. They need to unleash their citizens’ ideas to scale up enterprise. This means using tried-and-tested tools, like enterprise campaigns and education initiatives, to encourage people to think and act in enterprising ways: to spot opportunities, marshal resources, and turn their ideas into reality. Above all, it means engendering a ‘global mindset’ amongst budding entrepreneurs – in order that they think on a global scale, have global ambitions and make global connections.
The Make Your Mark campaign has prepared a briefing document that outlines a call to action on how various segments of society can help build an entrepreneurial culture.
Global Activities to Link All Countries
In addition to thousands of activities being planned by partners, a few signature activities are designed to connect bright young minds across the globe.
- Unleash It!
While there is no shortage of challenges facing the world today, countless ideas never come to the surface—leaving problems unsolved and opportunities missed—simply because no one stopped to consider them. Unleash It! uncovers these challenges—then links them to enterprising problem-solvers.
Before we can unleash the ideas of the next generation of entrepreneurs on the challenges of today, we need your help in identifying those challenges – no matter how big or how small. Anyone can issue a challenge, e-mail your challenges to challenges[at]unleashingideas[dot]org - Speed Network the Globe
Networking is a skill that serves everyone—whether they ever consider starting an entrepreneurial venture or not. Organize a speed networking session in your community and enable local young people to sharpen their networking skills—talking to each other, local entrepreneurs, potential investors, community leaders, or anyone else interested in learning from--and sharing with--others. E-mail cspavin[at]unleashingideas[dot]org to learn more about what you can do to help network aspiring entrepreneurs.
Why a Global Entreprneurship Week?
Entrepreneurs drive economic growth as all countries depend on the aspirations and ideas of their people to innovate, create jobs and prosper. Ever-faster means of communication and increasing ease of travel make it easier for entrepreneurs to start up and succeed on a global stage. But nations must do more than just rely on these trends. They need to unleash their citizens’ ideas to scale up enterprise. This means using tried-and-tested tools, like enterprise campaigns and education initiatives, to encourage people to think and act in enterprising ways: to spot opportunities, marshal resources, and turn their ideas into reality. Above all, it means engendering a ‘global mindset’ amongst budding entrepreneurs – in order that they think on a global scale, have global ambitions and make global connections.
The Make Your Mark campaign has prepared a briefing document that outlines a call to action on how various segments of society can help build an entrepreneurial culture.
The Make Your Mark campaign has prepared a briefing document that outlines a call to action on how various segments of society can help build an entrepreneurial culture.
Ernst & Young launches its sponsorship of the inaugural 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Week
MONTE CARLO, MONACO—Ernst & Young officially kicked off its global sponsorship of the 2008 Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 17-23, 2008), a first-ever worldwide series of entrepreneurship events, with the help of one of the Week’s founders, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.
As a global sponsor, Ernst & Young will provide support and initiate activities designed to engage and encourage young people to pursue entrepreneurial ideas with the support of entrepreneurs, government officials, non-profit leaders and educators. To date, more than 70 organizations in some 60 countries are participating in the Week, which is expected to involve millions of young people around the world.
Film Displays Entrepreneurial Spirit of Youth
A new documentary film provides a glimpse at how innovative, imaginative and creative young people can make a difference—given very limited resources—in their communities and around the world. The film,
imagine it!, tells the story of college students who participated in a global creativity challenge hosted by Stanford University during EntrepreneurshipWeek USA in 2007. The challenge? Create value using one pack of Post-it notes in just six days. Teams from around the globe including Thailand, Australia, India, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Ecuador and the United States surprised everyone with what they did—raising and donating money, composing music, helping the disabled, making powerful social statements and educating children.The film captures the spirit of the next generation of entrepreneurs that will be unleashed during Global Entrepreneurship Week, from November 17-23, 2008.
imagine it!, tells the story of college students who participated in a global creativity challenge hosted by Stanford University during EntrepreneurshipWeek USA in 2007. The challenge? Create value using one pack of Post-it notes in just six days. Teams from around the globe including Thailand, Australia, India, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Ecuador and the United States surprised everyone with what they did—raising and donating money, composing music, helping the disabled, making powerful social statements and educating children.The film captures the spirit of the next generation of entrepreneurs that will be unleashed during Global Entrepreneurship Week, from November 17-23, 2008. - Watch the promo trailer
- Watch the full movie
- Sign up to receive a copy at no cost -- for universities, organizations, educators, students and parents around the world -- to inspire students of all ages.
Gordon Brown Promotes the Week
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown again voiced support for Global Entrepreneurship Week in an editorial promoting the need for greater UK/US relations in the Wall Street Journal. Brown stated, "I am proposing cooperation on enterprise, so that young business leaders in each country regularly conduct exchanges and learn from each other. 'Make Your Mark' – which champions entrepreneurship among young people in Britain – is linking up with the Kauffman Foundation in the U.S. to organize this November the first Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Find Global Entrepreneurship Week Through Social Networking Sites
You are hip to all things social media. That’s good because connections matter. We want you to be able to connect to everyone in our network and we have devised a bunch of ways for you to do so, using whichever platform you choose:
- Become a fan on Facebook
- Join our Facebook group
- Join our LinkedIn group
- Become our MySpace friend
- Join our Xing network
- Or friend us on Orkut
Finally, create a member profile page on our site to learn more about people who are actively running activities during the Week.
Get Connected: Join The Unleashing Ideas Community
In a world full of Facebooks, Bebos and Hi5's, why do you need to join another online community? Because 'what you know' goes a long way, but in an increasingly networked society, 'who you know' still makes a big difference. And there is only one community dedicated to networking people around the world committed to unleashing their ideas through Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Register now and create your profile. The community is currently in beta stage, but you can still use your profile to stay on top of the latest information about the Week in your country and guarantee that you'll be the first to hear about global signature activities. Plus, as the Week draws near, contests and activities will be unveiled specifically for community members. Get in on the ground floor... and get ready to unleash your ideas.
Register for a profile and » join the Unleashing Ideas community
Register now and create your profile. The community is currently in beta stage, but you can still use your profile to stay on top of the latest information about the Week in your country and guarantee that you'll be the first to hear about global signature activities. Plus, as the Week draws near, contests and activities will be unveiled specifically for community members. Get in on the ground floor... and get ready to unleash your ideas.
Register for a profile and » join the Unleashing Ideas community
Planning Your Global Entrepreneurship Week Activities
Host organizations in more than forty countries are busy planning and building awareness for Global Entrepreneurship Week. In France, Les Journees de l’Entrepreneur has already gathered about 40 organizations to help with their campaign. The German coalition of Hosts are focusing on grass-roots engagement through social networking. And Endeavor Brazil is cris-crossing the country, meeting with large retailers to produce and stock Global Entrepreneurship Week-branded items.
Plans For The Week Unveiled
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined Carl Schramm of Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in starting the countdown to Global Entrepreneurship Week, 17-23 November 2008, the world's biggest single event celebrating and promoting entrepreneurship amongst young people. Representatives from more than 25 participating countries were on hand for the announcement and working sessions designed to share information and plan for the coming year.The event took place during Enterprise Week, the centerpiece of campaign to promote enterprise culture to young people in the UK.
