I've been writing books and articles on business and entrepreneurship for more than 30 years now -- the past 15 or so as a full-time writer/author guy. And just when I thought I had seen everything there is to see on the topic, I find out that isn't really the case at all. For example, until a week ago, I had never heard of Global Entrepreneurship Week, much less that this year it runs from November 15 through 21. Well, it's true, and I have once again proven to myself that the old saying "You learn something new every day" is definitely true in my case.
According to the Global Entrepreneurship Week USA site, during this special week, millions of young people around the world join a growing movement of entrepreneurial people, to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Countries across six continents come together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. To think big. To turn their ideas into reality. To make their mark.
Even better: If you check out the Global Entrepreneurship Week USA website, you'll find a remarkable number of entrepreneurship-oriented activities in most every city in the USA. At the moment, there are 42 different activities scheduled in Tennessee, 28 in Michigan, 26 in Arizona, 24 in New Jersey, 24 in Florida, 23 in California, 11 in Ohio, 10 in New York, and the list goes on and on. Here is a small sampling of what's going on where:
- Startup Open - US
- Startup Cause - US
- CEA - Washington, DC
- The Chicagoland FAST PITCH competition - Chicago, IL
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference - San Diego, CA
- Entrepreneurship: The Economic and Regulatory Barriers (The US Chamber Event) - US
- National Entrepreneurs Day - US
- Who Owns the Ice House? - US
- Creativity World Forum - Oklahoma City, OK
- Global Student Entrepreneur Awards - Kansas City,MO
- Entrepreneurship in Challenging Times: Implementing Expeditionary Economics Washington, DC
- World Bank Event Washington, DC
- Much, much more!
Not convinced yet? Then check out the first item on the above list -- the Start Up Open. Here's the description of this particular event from the Start Up Open website: Startup Open is a competition for startups created during Global Entrepreneurship Week (November 15-21). The GEW 50–the 50 most promising startups launched during the Week–will be announced and one entrepreneur will receive a free trip to Richard Branson' s private island to network with experienced entrepreneurs. Two other entrepreneurs will receive a two-day, customized experience at Kauffman Labs in Kansas City to help them take the next giant step with their startup.
That has ME thinking about starting a new business during Global Entrepreneurship Week so I can qualify for the competition!
So, if you would like to sharpen up your entrepreneurial skills, or network with fellow entrepreneurs in your area -- or across the country -- or just get some new ideas and recharge your batteries, then I think Global Entrepreneurship Week might be exactly what the doctor ordered.
By the way, as I was writing this post, I noticed that my good friend and fellow writer Clifton Taulbert and his new book Who Owns the Ice House? will be a featured part of Global Entrepreneurship Week. If Clifton and his presentation are anywhere nearby, then run -- don't walk -- to sign up! It just might change your life.
