Global Events
Global Entrepreneurship Congress
Hosted in rising entrepreneurial cities around the world since 2009, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress is GEN's flagship gathering. Thousands of delegates from 200 countries share and strengthen innovative approaches to empowering entrepeneurs everywhere.
A selection committee that includes Global Entrepreneurship Network staff identify and select a co-host for each GEC iteration in response to bids received from prospective cities. For more information about the GEC and the bidding process, please email William Charter at william@genglobal.org.
GEC+
GEC+ is a fast-growing event series, built from the model of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, that narrows its focus to a single geographic region or industry-specific sector. Run by GEN and hosted by third-party organizations in an increasing number of cities and economies, the series rallies significant global expertise to explore issues and develop solutions.
If you are interested in co-hosting a GEC+ with GEN in your country, please email William Charter at william@genglobal.org.
Startup Nations Summit
The Startup Nations Summit is a periodic gathering of policymakers to identify and explore regulatory issues, policy levers and effective public sector-driven programs that empower entrepreneurs. The series launched in 2012 in Toronto, and has since been held in Kuala Lumpur (2013), Seoul (2014), Monterrey (2015), Cork (2016), Tallinn (2017), Surabaya (2018), Riyadh (2022) and Melbourne (2023).
If you are interested in hosting the Startup Nations Summit, please email Matt Smith at matt@genglobal.org.
Local Events
Startup Huddle
Startup Huddle builds local ecosystems while crowd-sourcing advice and support, one entrepreneur at a time. Run by local organizers following guidance from GEN and a strict format, it consists of monthly (or weekly) gatherings of local community and business leaders, founders, ecosystem builders, investors and others interested in helping startups flourish. Chapter meetings are open to the public and free to attend.
If you are interested in launching a Startup Huddle chapter in your community, please email Pretty Ndlovu at pretty@genglobal.org.
GEN Meetup
While GEN has multiple structured startup community events, GEN Meetup is designed for those who have their own format and goals in mind for gathering their community under the GEN Compass either regularly or from time to time. There are no obligations in what you do – only some basic mutual protections for using the GEN brand that you have to accept.
If you are a member of the GEN community and want to gather people, apply for a GEN Meetup license by completing the application form.
Digital Events
GEN Exchange
GEN Exchange is a series of virtual webinars to take a deep dive on specific topics by GEN – and sometimes in conjunction with another organization. These events focus on timely issues and the release of new reports and scholarship.
If your organization is interested in co-hosting a GEN Exchange in person or virtually, please email William Charter at william@genglobal.org.