GEW 2018 is guided by themes of women, youth, inclusion, and ecosystems

This year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) will feature thousands of events in 170 countries to celebrate entrepreneurial activity. Across the globe, entrepreneurs, mentors, investors, and ecosystem builders will connect in order to inspire people everywhere to make their entrepreneurial dream a reality.

Throughout every event next week, four themes will take center stage:

• GEW Women will celebrate female entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and investors and will identify resources and share knowledge so that women can connect with one another.
• GEW Youth will help shape the next generation of innovators by offering activities and competitions where they can sharpen skills and meet with advisors and mentors.
• GEW Inclusion will highlight the ways in which people are minimizing barriers for entrepreneurs from underserved populations by making inclusion a top priority.
• GEW Ecosystem Connect will allow communities to collaborate by sharing their communities’ challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship.

To get an idea of what’s happening around the world, check out some of the events that are planned in Ireland, South Africa, and Rwanda:

• In Belfast, Ireland, the Ulster Bank Entrepreneur Accelerator will be visiting three towns across Northern Ireland for their “Time to Grow” series, hoping to address challenges facing local business owners, like how to better manage cash flow.
• The theme for GEW in Oman is “failure taught me,” sharing success stories from Omani entrepreneurs.
• GEW in South Africa is hosting various sessions, masterclasses, and networking sessions for entrepreneurs.
• There will be a wide variety of workshops and seminars being held for GEW in the Philippines, including “How to Handle Difficult Customers.”
• In Chile, young entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to participate in an “Entrepreneurship Olympics” being held at the Museum of Education in Santiago.
• In Rwanda, GEW will focus on empowering women and youth to become the “bedrock for sustainable development.”

Each of these exciting events may be happening a world away, but Nov. 12-15, the Startup Radio Network will air from 10 a.m. to noon PST, sharing the stories of 48 startups and their founders from 12 different countries.

GEW KC

There are more than 170 events happening in Kansas City next week. The GEW KC site will let you make your own schedule, but here are some quick highlights:

• GEW KC 1 Million Cups: 9-10 a.m. Nov. 14 at Plexpod Westport Commons:
  • Hear from two entrepreneurs who took their businesses globally from KC. Right after 1MC, stay for the BEYOND SUPPORT: ACTIVATE YOUR NETWORK AND THRIVE session.
• Hear from AMAZON, GOOGLE, and FACEBOOK on Using Digital Tools to Start, Run, and Grow Your Business: 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at Plexpod Westport Commons:
  • Speakers: Jake Ward (3C), Stella Crewse, CEO (Morgan Miller Plumbing), Whitney Cox, product marketing manager (Google), and Aneesh Raman, head of economic and social impact (Facebook)
• An Abundant Growth: Secrets to Growing Black Women-Owned Businesses: 4-5:30 p.m. Nov 15 at Plexpod Westport Commons
• Herspace Fireside Chats: 5-7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Plexpod Westport Commons
• BlackTech Weekend KC: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 16 at Mohart Multipurpose Center
  • With speakers Karen Burton of Space Lab Detroit, William Thomas of Cincinnati’s MORTAR, and Fallon Wilson of Black in Tech Nashville hosting.

What events will you be attending during Global Entrepreneurship Week? Let us know in the comments below.