Last week, we started this series to highlight the latest developments from the Global Entrepreneurship Network in more than 160 countries. Through November, many of these stories will focus on Global Entrepreneurship Week (#GEW2016) events, activities and competitions.
Below is a look at a handful of recent points:
- Pay by Selfie: EyeVerify Sold to Alibaba for $100 Million
South China Morning Post // Hong Kong, China
EyeVerify, the 2014 champion of Get in the Ring during Global Entrepreneurship Week, was recently purchased for $100 million by Alibaba's Ant Financial Services to help make eye print authentication possible on its Alipay electronic payment system. The advanced biometrics startup will operate as a subsidiary to Ant Financial but will remain in Kansas City.
- Top Innovations in Israeli Clean Energy Solutions to be Showcased
Eco-Business // Singapore
EnergyVest will host the Cleantech Open competition, a featured event of Global Entrepreneurship Week, to spotlight the most promising Israeli clean energy entrepreneurs and allow global investors to discover under-the-radar local startups and creative minds behind some of the up-and-coming advances in cleantech.
- Shark Tank Star to Help Local Entrepreneurs
Bernews // Hamilton, Bermuda
Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and one of the investors on the reality TV show 'Shark Tank', will be a featured guest speaker during GEW Bermuda.
- The Business of Youth Development in Africa
AFK Insider // New York, United States
Beata Mandy Shemuvalula decided to attend a GEW event in Namibia in November 2013 and it quickly changed her life. She met a representative from the U.S. Embassy and within months she was in the U.S. to study business and entrepreneurship as part of the first Young African Leaders Initiative program. Shemuvalula is now the founder and CEO of Youthia, with a goal of empowering 1 million youth entrepreneurs across Africa by 2025.
- Brisbane Startup to Present to Europe's Biggest Investors
Startup Smart // Melbourne, Australia
A Brisbane startup aiming to disrupt the $203 billion youth travel market is on its way to pitch in front of Europe’s biggest venture capitalists after winning a local competition. Storyboard took the top prize and founder Darren Tonkin will now be presenting at the renowned Creative Business Cup in Copenhagen during GEW 2016.
- FUEL Software Startup Competition to Highlight Akron's Entrepreneurial Community
The Plain Dealer // Cleveland, United States
Software entrepreneurs are invited to apply for a chance to pitch their ideas and negotiate for up to $10,000 each in investment and quick admittance to the city of Akron's tech accelerator, the Bit Factory, through the first-ever FUEL competition, sponsored by Brouse McDowell during Global Entrepreneurship Week USA.
- Students Invited to Take Part in Energy Challenge
Royal Gazette // Hamilton, Bermuda
Local students have been asked to provide “innovative solutions” to the challenges Bermuda faces for energy production and consumption. The Sustainable Energy Challenge, backed by the Department of Energy and sponsored by Rubis, is another highlight of GEW Bermuda.
- Opening Chances For Young People
Business Korea // Seoul, Korea
Following the GEC+ event in Daegu, Johannes Lindner, the long-time GEW Austria host, shares his thoughts on strengthening entrepreneurship education to provide opportunities for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Lindner is the Head of the eesi-Entrepreneurship Education Center of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education and the Initiative for Teaching Entrepreneurship.
- Business Books Round-up: Four Titles Worth a Read
Business Review Europe // Europe
In the lead up to Global Entrepreneurship Week, Wiley is releasing a number of books to help people start, grow and invest in new business. From turning property into profit, achieving sustained business growth and maintaining a work-life balance, to understanding the changing face of business in Saudi Arabia, these books are designed to support business leaders, owners, entrepreneurs and investors.