In early 2021, Global Entrepreneurship Week (#GEW2021) North Carolina State Coordinator NC IDEA recruited new Community Organizers throughout the state. Juan Garzon of Innovate Charlotte, Eva Welsh of Tour Warrenton, and UNC Wilmington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship agreed to serve as the official GEW Community Organizer for Charlotte, Warrenton, and Wilmington, North Carolina respectively. This is the first time someone has served in this capacity for the GEW campaigns in these ecosystems and each had standout campaigns for their debut year.
The GEW Warrenton campaign had 27 activities throughout Warren County with events for youth, a women entrepreneurs gathering, and several lunch-and-learns. The GEW Charlotte campaign hosted 18 activities in its first year with a diverse lineup of activities including a pitch competition with a $20,000 prize, an activity for young girls to foster innovative thinking, and numerous activities for early-stage companies. The UNCW Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship also collaborated with other organizations such as 1 Million Cups Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College to host eight activities, making for a resource-filled week for their community.
GEW Community Organizer and State Coordinator roles were piloted in 2020 and the program grew in 2021 to additional communities. Community Organizers are in place to create leadership and organization for GEW campaigns in ecosystems throughout the country with one in place per city or county. State Coordinators are in place to recruit Community Organizers state-wide and support GEW campaigns throughout the year.
Interested in serving as the Community Organizer or State Coordinator for GEW 2022? Contact GEW USA National Coordinator, Ellen Erickson at ellen@genglobal.org.