Startup-savvy policymakers and program leaders are gathering in Monterrey, Mexico this weekend for the Startup Nations Summit. Before Startup Nations members share experiences on the most effective approaches in their countries to accelerate new and young firm formation, they will take part in a number of parallel INCmty sessions and hear from top-notch entrepreneurs like Chris O’Neill, CEO of Evernote, Uri Levine, founder of Waze, and Daymond John, founder of FUBU and part of ABC-TV’s Shark Tank.
GEN president Jonathan Ortmans kicked things off earlier today with a speech on the importance of strengthening the global entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“Silicon Valley cannot be replicated,” Ortmans told the audience. “There were a number of unique factors that shaped it and that won’t happen in another place — each community needs to embrace its own strengths and build a global ecosystem.”
As part of the summit, the first-ever Startup Nations Awards take place this evening. The awards recognize influential policymakers making a positive impact in advancing entrepreneurship around the world. Awards will be given for National Policy Leadership, Local Policy Leadership and Groundbreaking Policy Thinking. GEN will also give out a Global Leadership Award to recognize the efforts of an organization to advance entrepreneurship policy.
Stay tuned for additional details.