Seminars planned to mark Entrepreneurship Week
Innovators and the creatively-minded will have the chance to shine on the local and global stage with the launch of Global Entrepreneurship Week this week.
The initiative, which runs from November 17 to November 23 and is backed by Government, the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation (BSBDC) and the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda (YEI), was officially launched yesterday by Terry Lister, Minister of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce, Finance Minister Paula Cox and Joe Mahoney of the YEI.
The event has a range of activities on offer from the YEI's Challenge 'Solutions 2020', the BSBDC's 'Rocket Pitch Challenge' and a series of 'Start-up Smarts' business seminars.
The Challenge 'Solutions 2020' tasks youngsters in classrooms across the Island to come up with innovative solutions to problems facing society in 2020, while the 'Rocket Pitch Challenge' will see Bermudians with a creative business idea delivering a five-minute business pitch and have the chance to win part of a $5,000 cash prize.
The 'Start-up Smarts' will be held at Number Six Shed tomorrow and Thursday November 20 evening are free and open to the public, starting at 5.30pm tomorrow with Wired Wednesday, followed by a talk about 'Creativity and Rick' at 6.30 p.m. and a panel discussion on 'Marketing 2.0' - using technology to market a new business at 6.45 p.m., featuring panellists Belcario Thomas of Unite, Keerome Maybury of G-135, Michael Branco, of Fireminds.com and Delroy Taylor, from Boxoffice.bm
The second day will begin with an introduction and welcome speech by Mr. Lister at 5.30 p.m., proceeded by the Rocket Pitch finals and awards at 5.40 p.m., a talk on 'Protecting Your Ideas' - the ins and outs of patents and copyright at 6.30 p.m., and wrapping up with another panel debate entitled 'Healthy, Wealthy and Wise' - the right way to start a business at 6.45 p.m., with panellists Darlene Davis from the Accounting Department and Bruce Sharpe of Sharpe Financial, and the BSBDC.
Bermuda will be taking part in the event with 75 other countries worldwide in a bid to encourage entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity.
The idea for the initiative, which was conceived by the US-based Mario Kauffman Foundation in partnership with Make-Your-Mark campaign in the UK, was agreed upon by a public-private sector group in Bermuda and meets Government's goals for promoting economic empowerment, workforce development and sustainable development.
Specifically the group looked at the event as a a way of educating entrepreneurs about starting a business, business plan development, successful strategies for marketing, technology, funding and legal requirements, providing opportunities for Bermuda's youth to interact virtually with other young students and entrepreneurs globally and to promote the Island's prominence internationally as an innovative economy.
Mr. Lister said: "While participation in this first Global Entrepreneurship Week in terms of activities is small, it is anticipated that subsequent years will see Bermuda's involvement grow in this global event.
"The opportunity for Bermuda to diversify and broaden the economic empowerment of its people in the future will stem from planting the seed of entrepreneurship and innovation in the minds of all residents."
Ms Cox said: "During the times of economic uncertainty it is innovation, creativity and capital that provide the stimulus required for stability and progressive community life thus this timely event and the support provided by the BSBDC is a formula for success."
Trina Roberts, head of the Bank of Bermuda's small business centre, which is the title sponsor for the initiative, said: "We view Global Entrepreneurship Week as a unique opportunity to support a community initiative that is encouraging young Bermudians to reach their full potential through innovation and entrepreneurship."
On the web:
Global Entrepreneurship website at www.unleashingideas.org
