Global Entrepreneurship Week Curaçao 2025 began with optimism on 17 November, when newly appointed Governor Mauritsz de Kort welcomed Fundashon Negoshi Pikina to officially open the week.
Emphasizing the theme "Together We Build," he highlighted how youth entrepreneurship can shape the island's future and called collaboration essential to Curaçao's economic resilience.
Throughout the week, masterclasses, school programs, and inclusion-focused workshops brought entrepreneurial skills to more than 1,000 students and young innovators. From problem-solving sessions to initiatives supporting youth with mental health challenges, Global Entrepreneurship Week reinforced that entrepreneurship is as much about empowerment and community as it is about business creation.
Then came the moment no one expected: on 18 November, Curaçao became the smallest nation ever to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The island erupted in celebration on the 19th, with Global Entrepreneurship Week activities paused as thousands filled the streets to welcome the national team.
What could have been a disruption instead became a surge of national pride that perfectly mirrored Global Entrepreneurship Week's message - unity, ambition, and belief in what small nations can achieve together. Despite the festivities, GEW's commitment to inclusion continued, culminating in student graduations and youth-focused mentorship sessions.
The week closed with renewed momentum: a recognition that cultural milestones can fuel entrepreneurial energy, and that Curaçao's future will be built through shared effort - on the field, in classrooms, and across the island's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.