Tennessee Tops States in Activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week
ECD Partners Plan More than 60 Events to Celebrate Entrepreneurship
NASHVILLE — The state of Tennessee currently leads the nation in the number of events planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 16-22, which celebrates the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery. To date, Tennessee has confirmed more than 60 events, leading all other states in the nation by 19 activities. Tennessee also ranks in the top ten for partners, with more than 50 organizations across the state joining in to make 2009’s celebration a success.
“Entrepreneurs provide the foundation that great companies and communities are built upon,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “To have so many willing participants and activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week is a testament to the passionate, creative individuals we have living in our state. I am proud that Tennessee is standing tall amongst the nation and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and share their skills.”
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide event intended to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people with the desire to change the world. Partners include universities, high schools, non-profit organizations, successful entrepreneurs and government agencies.
Activities across Tennessee range from pitch contests and launch challenges to speaker series’ and panels from various industries. The week officially kicks off tomorrow in Chattanooga with 48Hour Launch, a high-octane event at which entrepreneurs gather and try to launch as many tech companies as possible in a 48-hour period. Throughout the rest of the week, partners across Tennessee will host business idea pitch contests, launch challenges, speaker series’ and entrepreneur training events. Some of the other activities include:
- Global Innovation Tournament, Oak Ridge – University of Tennessee at Knoxville business students participating in a global tournament will present videos showcasing their innovation solutions on how to make saving money fun.
- The Art of Business, Sparta – This event, geared toward working artists, will address the areas of pricing art, posting artwork online and protecting it, contracts, insurance, saving for retirement and healthcare options as an artist.
- MTSU Speaker Series, Murfreesboro – MTSU will host events, both on- and off-campus, throughout the week connecting college students with local and regional entrepreneurs.
- An Afternoon with Film, Nashville – The Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission will host two panels of film industry professionals that will discuss their work “below the line” at the Nashville School of the Arts to junior and senior high school students and freshman and sophomore college students.
- Core Conversations on Entrepreneurship, Memphis – The Society of Entrepreneurs and LaunchMemphis will host a networking event to bring together entrepreneurs from all across the area for an informal lunch and discussion on the events impacting the industry in Memphis.
For a complete list of Tennessee Global Entrepreneurship Week events, please visit: http://www.tnecd.gov/gew.
About Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity in local communities across the globe. On the week of Nov. 16-22, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Thousands of activities are being planned in more than 70 countries around the world. Global Entrepreneurship Week is founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. To view a complete list of participating countries and organizations or to learn more, visit www.unleashingideas.org.
About Business Enterprise Resource Office
The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) works to expand economic opportunities for small, rural, minority and women-owned businesses in Tennessee by providing information on procurement opportunities, loan programs and management programs with Tennessee private industry and government entities. BERO is an office within the Department of Economic and Community Development.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.
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Contact: Valerie Somerville, ECD
Office: (615) 532-1925
E-mail: valerie.somerville@tn.gov
