The Global Entrepreneurship Network, which operates a platform of projects and programs in 200 countries aimed at making it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business, began operating in Canada in 2009 when it partnered with Futurpreneur to launch the now annual national Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign.
In 2012, GEN hosted the first Startup Nations Summit in Toronto to provide policy advisors with a platform to meet and learn from peers around the world who are searching for the most effective ways for government to stimulate entrepreneurial activity. In 2019, GEN expanded its national programming by partnering with Startup Canada to bring the Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC), one of the largest and most diverse pitch competitions and support programs of its kind, to the country.
Since 2009, GEN’s global programming has reached hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs in Canada, and engaged influential leaders including heads of state and more than 500 partners across the national entrepreneurship ecosystem.
GEN’s extensive footprint of national operations and global verticals in policy, research and programs ensures members have uncommon access to the most relevant knowledge, networks, communities and programs relative to size of economy, maturity of ecosystem, language, culture, geography and more.
GEN helps celebrate, understand, support and connect entrepreneurs and those who champion them. Through GEW, GEN celebrates the successes and impact of entrepreneurs in an effort to help break down cultural barriers and expand the number of people who at some point in their life consider becoming an entrepreneur.
GEN helps identify and crowdsource best-in-class policies and public programs that help entrepreneurs thrive. Governments, corporations and education institution leaders require better data, research and analysis about entrepreneurship barriers, needs and opportunities and which program interventions and policies to address them are proven to have maximize impact.
Through efforts such as the Global Business Angels Network, Global Enterprise Registration, Startup Huddle, GEN Starters Club, and other programs, GEN offers resources intended to help smooth the path to market for founder teams and provide entrepreneurs at all stages with the support necessary to reach the next level.
GEN helps break down siloes and enhance collaboration among entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers and startup community leaders through numerous live events, including its Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) and GEC+ series, global annual meetings of its vertical communities and by co-hosting other events across the globe.