January 22, 2026 - Now entering its 19th year, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) will take place November 16–22, 2026, continuing its effort to expand access to entrepreneurship in communities of all sizes and economies around the world.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is an annual movement that celebrates and empowers new founders – especially those who face structural barriers or who may have never considered the opportunities and possibilities of entrepreneurship.
For nearly two decades, Global Entrepreneurship Week has helped to unlock entrepreneurship as a pathway to problem-solving, economic participation, and prosperity in communities beyond traditional startup hubs like Silicon Valley, London and Shanghai.
Every year, more than 10 million people participate in events that expand access to the skills, networks, capital, and collaboration founders needed to build successful businesses.
The campaign is led by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, with support from 11,000 partners worldwide.
Record Momentum in 2025
In 2025, a record 55,000+ Global Entrepreneurship Week events took place across 200 countries and territories – underscoring the increasingly relevant role of entrepreneurship at a time of increasing global division and uncertainty.
“Entrepreneurs are in many ways the new diplomats, because something we have in common across all national boundaries is a passion to solve, to build, to create, to form teams, and to form communities,” said Global Entrepreneurship Week co-founder and GEN President Jonathan Ortmans. “During Global Entrepreneurship Week, we celebrate this entrepreneurial spirit and find new ways to support, collaborate, and connect.”
Looking Ahead to Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026
Building on this momentum, GEW 2026 will once again serve as a unifying global moment. In the months ahead, the GEN will share additional details about Global Entrepreneurship Week 2026, including participation opportunities and resources for hosts and partners.
National hosts for the campaign will convene alongside founders, investors, policymakers and ecosystem builders at the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Congress, co-hosted by GEN and Qatar Development Bank this September in Doha.
To learn more about Global Entrepreneurship Week and to get involved, visit www.genglobal.org/gew.
Quick Facts About Global Entrepreneurship Week
- Global Entrepreneurship Week first launched in 2008. 2026 marks the 19th anniversary of the annual campaign.
- Global Entrepreneurship Week is organized internationally by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and powered by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation with support from more than 11,000 partners worldwide.
- Each November, 10 million people across 200 countries and territories take part in tens of thousands of Global Entrepreneurship Week activities, competitions, and events.
- The 2025 campaign featured a record 50,000 events.
- Influencers across industries are strong supporters of Global Entrepreneurship Week, from Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson to Shark Tank star Mark Cuban.
- View highlights from last year's campaign here.