Global Entrepreneurship Week D.C. / M.D. / V.A. 2021

180 countries. 40,000 events. Removing barriers and welcoming all. November 8-14, 2021.

About this event

During one week each November, thousands of events and competitions in 170 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors. Powered by the Kauffman Foundation, the initiative is supported by dozens of world leaders and a network of more than 15,000 partner organizations.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) Washington, D.C. / M.D. / V.A. (Nov. 8-14, 2021) is a free 7-day interactive celebration that showcases exciting local innovation, and strengthens connections. Designed for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs, #GEW2021 educates aspiring & established founders alike on best practices, addresses common struggles and showcases regional access to the dynamic network of resources and investment within the DC-Maryland-Virginia ecosystem.https://www.youtube.com/embed/drFo-XrM4mM

GEW is more than just a week of events, it now helps to catapult the Greater Washington, D.C. Region onto the world stage. Since 2008, GEW has transformed into a vital bridge to support the next generation of multicultural entrepreneurs and professionals ​in creating cultural change and professional success. This year #GEW2021 continues the tradition of connecting our rapidly growing community of millennials and post-millennials by providing professional resources, mentorship, and specialized live events to grow and accelerate business success on the local, national and international stage.

#GEW2021 will convene the next generation of innovative entrepreneurs and leaders to grow and accelerate beyond borders.

Reasons To Attend

• Meet fellow founders, entrepreneurs, developers and investors to talk shop, build partnerships and accelerate their revenue potential
• Be part of a culture that celebrates #GiveFirst, sharing and learning from one another
• Learn from incredibly smart millennial and post-millennial entrepreneurs and experienced mentors
• Join our community of creative entrepreneurs who inspire, energize, and nurture ideas in support of a thriving generation of #NewMajority* business owners
• The hub where business, philosophy, and art converge to provide equal opportunity for success regardless of background or privilege

To learn more, visit https://innovatecoalition.org/gew.

* traditionally underrepresented groupshttps://www.youtube.com/embed/4HQpSeEeji0

Do you know someone shaping the future of business, tech, innovation, policy and/or politics? A community organizer, startup CEO, company executive, VC, academic, policymaker, advocate, technologist?

[Nominate them] to be included in the SUEGO Community Leader & Influencer Spotlight directory.

SUEGO spotlights are promoted across our social channels and will be featured in one of our community updates.

FAQs

Why should I attend?

Select from various events, activities and competitions taking place during 7 days. Connect with a vibrant ecosystem of entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policymakers and other startup champions across the Washington, D.C. / Maryland / Virginia Region and in 170+ countries. Whether you are new to entrepreneurship, a startup looking to grow, a small business owner looking to scale and expand, an Entrepreneurship Support Organization that supports the ecosystem, and even Government agencies looking to drive economic impact, GEW is the premier worldwide platform to drive innovation, jobs and tech-enabled business outcomes.

Do all attendees need to register to attend the sessions?

YES. Everyone needs to register (FREE) to custom-build their agenda and enter their selected session(s) during Global Entrepreneurship Week. You’ll receive a message to RSVP for sessions once we reveal the programming in Fall 2021.

What do you do with the question responses?

We keep the questions to the bare minimum to help us understand the gaps, growth challenges and overall state of the ecosystem for an impact report that we share with Entrepreneurship Support Organizations (ESOs). We never share your publicly identifiable information (PII) unless you opt-in, and appreciate your support to improve and better serve the startup community.

Any upcoming event(s) to share plans and opportunities to join in?

YES. There’s the annual #GiveFirst Virtual [Town Hall] and Community Kickoff scheduled for Jan. 8th at 10a EST where we’ll share resources and opportunities for the startup community, and reveal the #GEW2021 Town Hall dates where we’ll deep dive into the celebration, themes and opportunities to join in the organizing coalition. Stay tuned for more updates!

How do you select speakers?

Our goal is to connect, engage and educate. Any resource or topic that can help our entrepreneurs and business owners launch and scale their venture is welcome. We have some guidelines and topic recommendations, and ask that you focus more on quality and insights than on promoting or being sales-y. To speak, fill out [this form] and we’ll be in touch in the upcoming weeks.

We have an event happening that same week, can we join in? What’s the benefit?

GEW is platform to connect the local ecosystem to the International stage. We’d love to have your event on our schedule and can help drive awareness and participants across our USA national network, and catapult your amazing efforts across the globe. As with speaking, we ask that you focus more on quality and insights than on promoting or being sales-y. To add your event to the schedule, fill out [this form] and we’ll be in touch in the upcoming weeks.

In terms of organizing a track or volunteering, how can we get involved?

GEW is a community effort. We’d love to expand the committee and organizing team to reflect the diversity and inclusion that the Region aspires to. Fill out [this form] to let us know if and how you would like to get involved, and we’ll circle back in the upcoming weeks.

For individual donors or public/private organizations, how to partner directly?

The celebration is a massive undertaking to provide FREE programming and events for the startup community, thanks to the amazing partners and sponsors we have at the table to underwrite the costs and expenses. We would love to connect and learn more about what your goals are and determine a good fit package to cater to various budget sizes and outcomes. Fill out [this form] to let us know what you have in mind, and we’ll circle back in the upcoming weeks.

Who organizes GEW?

The celebration is an initiative of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), and community-led at the local level with a rotating cast of some of the Greater Washington, D.C. Region’s high profile leaders and influencers. For the 2021 cycle, we have Duane Rollins for SEED SPOT (State Coordinator) and Steven A. Rodriguez for Techstars (Community Organizer) helping to catalyze the community to help onboard the next generation of GEW DC organizers for an even bigger 2021 celebration!

How can I contact the coalition to join in or with any questions?

Reach out to Mary Mateus via email: gew@innovatecoalition.org.