GEN Programs

GEC+ is an international event series that focuses on a geographic region or industry-specific sector, bringing significant expertise to strengthen those entrepreneurship ecosystems and aid the acceleration of startups. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and hosted by or in collaboration with third-party organizations, GEC+ events are smaller, more specialized iterations of GEN’s flagship event, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress.

GEN Campus is an initiative to create scalable startup villages where entrepreneurs can connect, collaborate and share knowledge and networks in ecosystems where talent is plentiful but opportunity is not. Healthy entrepreneurial ecosystems benefit from new and young firm density within a given geographic area – making it easier for entrepreneurs to connect with each other and access the resources they need.

GEN Ecosystems is a collection of programs and initiatives dedicated to strengthening communities and connecting them to create one global entrepreneurship ecosystem. It explores innovative and effective models of ecosystem building while benchmarking and monitoring ecosystem performance – sharing knowledge and networks to democratize opportunity and increase economic mobility for all.

GEN Exchange is a series of virtual webinars offering you a front-row seat to the ideas, trends and data that matter most. Each webinar is curated and led by experts from within GEN’s global network, ensuring discussions are rooted in real-world experience and informed by diverse perspectives. GEN Exchange is your chance to stay ahead of the curve, connect with peers who share your focus, and walk away with actionable ideas.

Founders are GEN's North Star as we guide the emergence of more effective and dynamic ecosystems to support their development. From idea stage through exit, we provide entrepreneurs with access to tailored training, events, mentors, investors, peer networks and leaders of the innovation ecosystems to help them reach their full potential – no matter where they are in the world.

GEN Invest gets the right capital in the right hands at the right time. Whether closing the credit gap or providing grants to underserved entrepreneurs, increasing an ecosystem’s investment capacity or improving individual investor performance through mentorship and training, earned trust among the GEN Invest community has laid the groundwork for effective cross-border, industry-wide capital, deal and knowledge sharing. ​ Members benefit from shared intelligence, peer learning, curated connections, and exposure to opportunities across markets.

GEN Meetup is an event series for any GEN member who wants to convene others in support of our shared mission – but who has their own event format and objectives in mind. These meetups may be regularly occuring or occasional. There are no costs or obligations in what you do – only some basic mutual protections for using the GEN brand that you have to accept. 

GEN Policy identifies, shares and advises governments on innovative public policies and programs for entrepreneur-led job creation and economic growth. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and staffed by a community of partners and experts, it sources evidence-based ideas for smart policy design and implementation and brings policymakers, founders and entrepreneurial support organizations together for knowledge sharing and collaboration at all stages of public policy and program lifecycles.

GEN Research drives knowledge creation, helping translate research into relevant and useful evidence-based policies and programs. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and backed by a community of economists, institutions and experts, GEN Research identifies actionable insights for developing more robust entrepreneurial ecosystems and helping entrepreneurial support organizations increase their impact.

GEN Space catalyzes the growing volume of companies accelerating their growth through affordable access to zero-gravity conditions – stimulating the creation of startups and scale-ups focused on entrepreneurial opportunities through space. It connects a global community of policymakers, experts and new space entrepreneurs with key stakeholders, including government agencies, corporate leaders, and new investors.

GEN Starters Club is a community of talented founders leading promising startups with access to training, support and a massive network of experienced entrepreneurs and mentors to help them scale no matter where they are in the world. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, the club consists of members from every continent – all sourced from GEN programs and connected through a virtual platform with real-time access to knowledge and learning experiences.

Global Enterprise Registration helps governments simplify and automate administrative procedures impacting entrepreneurs, improving the ability of their citizens to access business services quickly – spending less time on paperwork and more time on running their business. An initiative led by the Global Entrepreneurship Network and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), GER delivers simple and transparent government procedures to help businesses formalize and grow, creating jobs, supporting underserved communities and helping governments incr

The Global Entrepreneurship Congress is a rare place where founders at all stages of development and policymakers, investors and support organizations from economies of all sizes are in the same room, collaborating to bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. Hosted by the Global Entrepreneurship Network in a different rising entrepreneurial city each year, the Congress gathers thousands of delegates from 200 countries to share and strengthen innovative approaches to empowering entrepreneurs everywhere.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a massive campaign to celebrate and empower entrepreneurs in every country and community around the world – especially those who face structural barriers or may have never considered the idea of launching their own startup. Each November, 10 million people take part in tens of thousands of activities, competitions and events that inspire them to act and provide them with the knowledge, experience and connections they need to succeed.

GEN's Small Business Grants Program, with the support of generous partners and sponsors, provides direct financial support to founders throughout the United States and in select parts of the world. Since launching in 2020 in response to entrepreneurs' needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has administered more than $15 million (USD) in grants.

Startup Huddle builds local startup communities while crowd-sourcing advice and support, one entrepreneur at a time. Run by the Global Entrepreneurship Network, it consists of monthly, if not weekly, gatherings of local community and business leaders, founders, ecosystem builders, investors and others interested in helping startups flourish. Startup Huddle increases connectivity by convening the community while crowd-sourcing solutions for local founders who outline challenges faced by their company.

Startup Nations Ministerial + Startup Nations Summit are gatherings of a global peer community of government officials and policy advisors, launched by GEN in 2012 and guided by a diverse steering committee of cabinet-level leaders. Each year, these leaders assemble for the Ministerial while staff and advisors convene at the Summit to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collaboration while establishing a prioritized agenda for action.