In the UK, the theme of connections runs throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week 2014. A wide array of events, taking place across the UK, will explore the opportunities and barriers involved in building a global business – from culture to technology – with the aim of inspiring and empowering the next generation of the UK’s global entrepreneurs.
Youth Business International (YBI) is the UK host to the worldwide initiative in partnership with Barclays, with the aim of celebrating, encouraging and kick-starting a new wave of global entrepreneurship. In the UK alone this year, hundreds-of-thousands of participants will take part in thousands of events during the Week, gaining access to seasoned experts and practical support for early-stage startups.
Across the UK, the week will be launched at four official launch events, including: the Get Connected launch event in London; the University of South Wales in partnership with the Youth Entrepreneurship CPD hub and the South East Wales FE Regional Entrepreneurship Hub will connect students, staff and business as well as promoting entrepreneurship activity across the region; Young Enterprise Scotland will be launching the week with an “Inspiring Ideas” meet-up involving a group of students from Edinburgh College and guests from the Scottish Enterprise Eco-system; Lastly the Shaping Portsmouth Conference will be promoting entrepreneurship and attended by Matthew Hancock, MP and minister of state for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.
This year, as a fun way of getting event participants involved, the UK campaign are asking participants to share their connections with the world with a handshake selfie. The principle is simple, take a handshake selfie with your new connection and share it on twitter, facebook or instragram, using the hashtag #GEWConnect. The handshake selfie red carpet is visiting select GEW events and GEW staff will be on hand with everything needed to take the perfect handshake selfie. Handshake too formal for you? You can always fist bump. Even Obama does it. #handshakeselfie
Youth Business International Chief Executive, Andrew Devenport, believes that successful entrepreneurs need connections to get their businesses going, and that’s what Global Entrepreneurship Week aims to deliver. The campaign is a great way to celebrate innovators of all ages, show people all of the support that’s available to them, and connect entrepreneurs with the backing that they need.