Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

 

EVENT FAQS

What is the Global Entrepreneurship Congress?

  • Since launching in 2009 in Kansas City, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress has grown from 200 delegates to several thousand from more than 200 countries and territories participating. Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, and a local organization from the host country, the GEC explores the latest programs, policies and efforts to help entrepreneurs start and scale.

Why is the GEC important?

  • The globalization of entrepreneurship has brought an explosion of programs, startup communities and investment into a new field where there is a paucity of data around what works and what does not in supporting nascent entrepreneurs and new firms forming and trying to scale. Traditional business, education and government leaders have been eager champions, but they need more sophisticated tools, programs and research to help them most efficiently direct their attention and funds to areas that have the greatest impact on future economic growth. The GEC helps address these needs by identifying effective initiatives – in all types of economies, large or small, advanced or developing – that positively impact entrepreneurial ecosystems around the world.

Where has the Global Entrepreneurship Congress been held in previous years?

  • The following cities have hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Congress: Kansas City (2009), Dubai (2010), Shanghai (2011), Liverpool (2012), Rio de Janeiro (2013), Moscow (2014), Milan (2015), Medellín (2016), Johannesburg (2017), Istanbul (2018), Bahrain (2019), Riyadh (2022), Melbourne (2023) and Indianapolis (2025).

Who can participate?

  • Everyone is invited to take part in the GEC. Participants represent all parts of the global entrepreneurship ecosystem: entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, government officials, startup support organizations, educators and more.

What does the Global Entrepreneurship Congress offer to founders?

  • GEC offers something rare: an intimate, curated environment designed around your real needs, not hype. It’s a place to share perspectives directly with the ecosystem meant to support your success, build meaningful relationships in priority markets, explore emerging trends, and access tools and resources in a highly interactive setting.  

What does the Global Entrepreneurship Congress offer to investors?

  • From early-stage angels to family offices and institutional funds, GEC strengthens the investor back office. Through curated programming and hands-on experiences, investors gain insight into global funding ecosystems, explore new approaches to sustainable fund management, and build quality connections with peers—within a network that extends far beyond the event itself.  

What does the Global Entrepreneurship Congress offer to policymakers?

  • GEC provides a unique space for government leaders to test policy structures, explore new perspectives, and make real progress on policies that empower constituents and fuel strong economies. Policymakers engage with peers globally, examine how ambitious national strategies are implemented, and join a community that continues to support their efforts long after the Congress concludes.

What does the Global Entrepreneurship Congress offer to ecosystem builders?

  • There are no siloes at GEC. It’s a collaborative culture where ecosystem leaders exchange perspectives, learn from cutting-edge global data, and explore proven strategies, programs, and tools from peers around the world. The Congress offers the opportunity to connect with founders, investors, policymakers, and support organizations—while learning how to improve efficiency and get results in your home ecosystem.  

What can I expect to experience at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress?

  • New to the Congress? Take a look at what we accomplished when GEC returned to the United States in 2025. Co-hosted by GEN and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, GEC 2025 convened more than 3,400 investors, founders, ecosystem builders, and policymakers from 132 countries in Indiana, a rising startup hub and one of the country’s top states for business.