It's a Wrap on Global Entrepreneurship Week 2024 - Here are Some of the Highlights

An Opening Message from the Co-Founder of Global Entrepreneurship Week

"This campaign focuses on what we can create and build and do at a time when there are so many challenges for our world." Watch the full opening address from GEN president Jonathan Ortmans.

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Global Entrepreneurship Week Invites Millions to Explore Their Potential

The movement is being celebrated at 40,000 events during the week and beyond including at COP29 in Azerbaijan, the G20 Social Summit in Brazil, and the SME Assembly in Hungary. Take a look at early campaign news from Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Chad, Denmark, Germany, Israel, Jordan, Malaysia, Paraguay, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, and Uzbekistan.

Photo: Global Entrepreneurship Week Bangladesh

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Kauffman Foundation Supports Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week has been made possible since it launched 17 years ago by the guidance and support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. In her video message, Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, President and CEO of the foundation shared: "We believe the opportunity to start and grow a business can be an amazing pathway to economic mobility for all."

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FedEx Joins Global Entrepreneurship Week Celebrations

GEN and FedEx are collaborating to spotlight founders making a difference and initiatives available to support them around the world. In a video message, Jenny Robertson, Senior VP of Global Brand and Communications, said: "FedEx is thrilled to have the opportunity to help people from all geographies, economies, backgrounds, and ability levels explore the transformative power of entrepreneurship."

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MisMar, Yumari and Nomiq Top the Entrepreneurship World Cup Podium

After five days of intense competition on the eve of Global Entrepreneurship Week with the top 100 startups from 52 countries and territories, three innovative companies have emerged as champions of the Entrepreneurship World Cup. Each winner will receive a share of USD 1 million in cash prizes for their respective categories.

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GEN and Startup Genome Launch Report Ranking Countries’ Innovation Potential for Exponential Entrepreneurship

At the G20 Social Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the partners launched the inaugural pilot of the APEXE Nations Report — a pioneering data-driven framework designed to help countries measure their startup ecosystem potential and effectiveness. Read the report and join the webinar next week.

Photo: Isabela Castilho/G20

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Three Trailblazing Founders to Watch this Global Entrepreneurship Week

In this founder spotlight from GEN, FedEx and Vital Voices, meet three entrepreneurs changing the world. One is revolutionizing the water industry, another is empowering women and fostering entrepreneurship across east Africa, and another is transforming women's health across Latin America.

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The Role of Startups, New Firms, + Deep Technology in Accelerating Carbon Emissions Reduction

Ahead of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Ortmans joined leaders at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan to champion collaboration between startups, deep tech firms, and governments in the fight against climate change.

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Startup Huddle Events Support Underrepresented Founders Around the World

Startup Huddle chapters empower founders in more than 50 countries – helping them connect, present their ventures, and tackle unique challenges. A number of chapters are lifting up founders from underrepresented communities – including women, youth, and non-binary founders – with sessions during Global Entrepreneurship Week in Barbados, Canada, UK, South Africa, St. Lucia and more.

Photo: Startup Huddle Edinburgh

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Youth Parliament in St. Kitts + Nevis Debates Small Business Development Act

St. Kitts and Nevis is shining a spotlight on its vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem – and its commitment to shaping policies that reflect the current business landscape.

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Queen Rania of Jordan Marks Global Entrepreneurship Week in the Classroom

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited the King Hussein School of Computing Sciences at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) on Tuesday, in conjunction with the university’s participation in Global Entrepreneurship Week.

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Unlocking Global Innovation: A New Tool for Policymakers

GEN President Jonathan Ortmans shares why the just-released APEXE Nations Report should be leveraged by policymakers across G20 countries during Global Entrepreneurship Week and beyond - and invites you to join a webinar on the topic on Nov. 26.

Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR/G20 Brasil

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Five Years of Empowering Dreams: My Journey with GEN Malaysia and GEW

Vincent Chin reflects on the impact of Global Entrepreneurship Week in Malaysia. "I can’t help but feel humbled by how far we’ve come," he writes. "What started as a series of modest events has grown into the largest entrepreneurship celebration in Malaysia."

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Breaking Barriers to Global Trade: Alibaba.com and GEN Empower Small Businesses with Accio

In time for Global Entrepreneurship Week, Alibaba.com launched a new AI-powered B2B search engine designed for entrepreneurs and small businesses to access the global marketplace. Alibaba.com's Alex Tsai and GEN's Jonathan Ortmans share how the tool is opening doors for entrepreneurs everywhere.

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Startup Grind Hosts Innovation Marathon During Global Entrepreneurship Week

Startup Grind is hosting a global innovation marathon on Nov. 21 with nine virtual events taking place in five time zones. The marathon includes a virtual fireside chat with Guy Kawasaki, the legendary marketer, venture capitalist, and Chief Evangelist at Canva.

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Cube Care Receives FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award

During Global Entrepreneurship Week, GEN is collaborating with FedEx to spotlight founders making a difference and initiatives available to support them. Meet Cube Care, the company recognized with the 2023 FedEx Champion of Global Entrepreneurship Award at the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City’s Inner City 100 awards ceremony.

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Hungarian Secretary of State Emphasizes Growing Economic Importance of Entrepreneurship

In a meeting on the sidelines of the EU SME Assembly in Budapest, Richárd Szabados, the newly appointed Secretary of State for SMEs, shared insights that represent a shift towards a more collaborative and industry-informed policymaking process.

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New Report Evaluates European Tech — A Remarkable Journey and Promising Future

The State of European Tech 2024 report, released yesterday, paints a picture of remarkable transformation over the last decade and untapped potential. Europe's tech workforce has burgeoned to 3.5 million strong, growing at an astounding 24% compound annual growth rate.

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Fostering an Entrepreneurial Mindset During Global Entrepreneurship Week

Long-time GEN member, author and education and training expert, Gary Schoeniger is offering a free preview of his new book, The Entrepreneurial Mindset Advantage, this week. Join Schoeniger's webinar on Nov. 21 - or watch this interview filmed at GEC+Puerto Rico with GEN President Jonathan Ortmans.

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Brazil Tops the Global Entrepreneurship Week Leaderboard...For Now

With Global Entrepreneurship Week just about halfway over, events are still pouring into the website. So which countries are leading the way? At the time of this newsletter, Brazil tops the leaderboard with 1,602 events — followed by Jordan, Algeria, Pakistan and the United States.

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In Budapest, the EU SME Assembly Emphasizes Digital Transformation and Sustainability

The Assembly kicked off in Budapest, Hungary with the prestigious Schumpeter “Innovation in Enterprise’ lecture delivered by renowned Swedish professor of entrepreneurship, Johan Wiklund. The Assembly explored challenges and opportunities facing SMEs in an ever-evolving economic landscape.

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FedEx Awards Exceptional Young Innovators at INJAZ Al-Arab 2024 Youth Entrepreneurship Celebration

Sustainable energy and technology company ‘3a Balata’ received the FedEx Global Possibilities Award yesterday at the INJAZ Al-Arab’s annual Youth Entrepreneurship Celebration in Dubai. INJAZ Al-Arab, a non-profit member of JA Worldwide, gathered 70 high-school and university students from across the MENA region to showcase their innovative ideas aimed at tackling real-world challenges.

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Canadian Startup Champion Shares Insights on the Power of Collaborative Innovation Ecosystems

Iain Klugman has witnessed — and played a key role in — the transformation of Canada's Waterloo Region from relative obscurity into one of the world's top startup hubs. In this Global Entrepreneurship Week feature, Klugman reflects on the DNA of and future trajectory for innovation ecosystems in Canada and beyond.

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New Regional Ecosystem Index Previewed in Korea at Global Entrepreneurship Week Celebrations

The Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation gave a preview of an innovative new tool that aims to measure, analyze, and compare the entrepreneurial ecosystems of medium to large cities across the country. The Index fills a crucial gap in understanding local innovation dynamics.

Photo: Korea Entrepreneurship Foundation

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GEN Pakistan and EjadLabs Join Hands to Foster Pakistan’s Tech Ecosystem

In a significant step towards strengthening Pakistan’s tech landscape, GEN Pakistan and EjadLabs, a leading innovation and ecosystem-building platform, officially signed an MoU during a ceremony at the Governor House, Karachi. This partnership marks the beginning of a collaborative journey to promote a sustainable tech ecosystem, creating new opportunities for the country’s youth and entrepreneurs across industries.

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Attend the APEXE Report Launch Webinar

The APEXE Nations Report offers a pioneering data-driven framework designed to help countries measure their startup ecosystem potential and effectiveness. Join the launch webinar with GEN and Startup Genome to explore how the framework can help advance the entrepreneurial landscape in your country.

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Jeff Hoffman's 'Inspiring Innovation' Talk Sets Tone for Global Entrepreneurship Week in China

"My inspiration comes from learning new things in everyday life," said Hoffman at the event hosted by the Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Foundation for Graduates." Each day when we wake up, we should reflect on: What can I do today that I couldn't do yesterday?"

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Political Leaders Voice Support for Entrepreneurs During Global Entrepreneurship Week

Political leaders across the world are driving home the message that entrepreneurship is for everyone — from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ministers and ambassadors in the United States, Paraguay, Jamaica, St. Kitts + Nevis, Sierra Leone and more. Read some of their statements.

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Ortmans: Focusing on Prosperity for All Has Never Been More Important

In this Global Entrepreneurship Week feature, GEN President Jonathan Ortmans reflects on the movement, its history, and the state of the world: "Despite the exponential progress that we have seen over the past 15 years, now is not the time to declare ‘mission accomplished. There is still much work to be done to democratize entrepreneurship."

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Explore our Global Entrepreneurship Week Collaboration with FedEx

Throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week, GEN and FedEx are spotlighting diverse founders making a difference and initiatives available to support them.

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