Global Entrepreneurship Week finds fertile ground in Greensboro

On Nov. 12-18, Greensboro will participate in the world’s largest celebration of entrepreneurship, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW). GEW encourages existing and aspiring entrepreneurs to unleash innovative ideas, using the marketplace to improve lives and make their mark.

The hugely successful event will mark its fifth anniversary in 2012. Last year, over 7.5 million people engaged in 33,000 GEW activities around the globe. This year, 123 countries will participate. “With each passing year, GEW has seen the building of a global culture of innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of Global Entrepreneurship Week. “Such a culture is essential if we are going to help startups launch and scale.”

Global Entrepreneurship Week comes to Greensboro for the first time this year thanks to the work of the Greensboro Partnership Entrepreneurship Initiative, the UNCG NC Entrepreneurship Center (NCEC), the Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, GTCC Small Business Center, NC A&T, NC LIVE, and the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. Local partners join the initiative by organizing activities or events within the GEW framework.

Click to learn more about Greensboro’s Global Entrepreneurship Week events.

“Global Entrepreneurship Week provides a platform for increased visibility into existing initiatives and programs that are already in place here in Greensboro. With this increased exposure and awareness, greater Greensboro’s entrepreneurs will be better equipped to succeed,” said Deborah Hooper, President of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and Director of Entrepreneurship for the Greensboro Partnership.

UNCG’s NCEC will host an Entrepreneurial Journeys program and their yearly “2 Minutes to Win It” competition over the course of GEW. The Entrepreneurial Journeys program on Wednesday will feature Roland Johnson, chief executive officer and founder of Piedmont Pharmaceuticals, a Greensboro-based company that develops new medications for humans, dogs, cats, and horses. Then, on Thursday, students from UNCG, NCAT, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Bennett College, Elon University, and Guilford Tech will compete in the NCEC’s “2 Minutes to Win It” business idea competition. 20 finalists will have two minutes to pitch his or her idea to a small panel of entrepreneurs. The panel will deliberate and announce winners and $3,000 in prizes at a reception the same day.

An entirely student-organized “The Time is Now! Emerging Entrepreneurs Festival” will conclude the series of events taking place during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Arthur Stuart, an NC A&T student from the UNCG NCEC’s Growing Entrepreneurs by Mentoring Students (GEMS) program, spearheaded this effort, which will include interactive activities, a keynote speaker, and a young entrepreneur showcase.

Greensboro Global Entrepreneurship Week Events

Blogging for Business
Monday, November 12, 2012 from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM (ET)
NCA&T State University, BEST Center at 1325-B South Eugene Street, Greensboro

Aperture for Photographers
Monday, November 12, 2012 from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM (ET)
GTCC Small Business Center at 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro13th

Fall 2012 Defense Contractor Academy
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1451 S. Elm-Eugene Street, Greensboro

Networking for Your Business Benefit
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro

Leveraging Media for Your Business
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro

Developing a Social Media Strategy
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1421 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro

Reception, Open House & Tours
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro

Financing Your Small Business
Tuesday, November 13, 2012 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ET)
Greensboro Public Library, main branch at 219 N. Church Street, Greensboro 27401

Marketing Research Tools to Grow Your Business
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (ET)
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce at 342 N. Elm Street, Greensboro 27401

Entrepreneurial Journeys
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (ET)
UNCG NC Entrepreneurship Center, Moore Humanities and Research Administration (MHRA) Room 1214 at 1111 Spring Garden Street, Greensboro

Must-Have Technology Tools: Make the Cloud Work for Your Small Business
Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (ET)
Greensboro Chamber of Commerce at 342 N. Elm Street, Greensboro 27401

Facebook Basics for Small Business
Friday, November 16, 2012 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (ET)
GTCC Small Business Center at 1451 S. Elm Eugene Street, Greensboro

Emerging Entrepreneurs Festival
Friday, November 16, 2012 from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (ET)
Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship at 1451 S. Elm-Eugene St., Greensboro