Liverpool Global Festival of Entrepreneurship

09.09.2011

LIVERPOOL'S aspiration to be recognised as a global business centre will be boosted today when the city announces exciting plans to host the world's first global 'Festival of Entrepreneurship'

A comprehensive programme of events and initiatives aimed at boosting the city's culture of entrepreneurialism will open with an event organised by Liverpool Vision, the city's economic development company

This will officially launch the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) sponsorship opportunity and the global citizenship competition, Your Big Year.

The event, on the 'Mercedes' tall ship at Canning Half Tide Dock adjacent to the Maritime Museum, will bring together distinguished guests to celebrate the city's 'Countdown to the Congress', which takes place March 9-16 2012.

Liverpool is the firstUKand European city to host the Congress which attracts hundreds of the world's leading entrepreneurs, thought leaders and economists from more than 100 countries.

Previous host cities areKansas Cityin 2009,Dubaiin 2010 andShanghaiin 2011.

The 2102 Congress is presented by Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and Liverpool Vision.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said: "It is a real honour forLiverpoolto host the GEC and through the world's first global Festival of Entrepreneurship we are looking to develop further investment and enterprise activity in the city.

"I wantLiverpool's recent renaissance to continue and for the city to grow and thrive and for this to happen our renowned entrepreneurial spirit needs to be encouraged and fostered even further.

"Hosting a successful Congress and a compelling Festival of Entrepreneurship in Liverpool will deliver the next phase of this ambition, to become a global capital of enterprise culture, providing lasting benefits and relationships that will help grow and sustainLiverpool's economic growth.

"Our plans are very exciting and hosting the Congress in Liverpool will help spread the Liverpool name world-wide and allow the city and its business people to develop new contacts and partnerships, exchange ideas and innovative programmes and most importantly harness entrepreneurship as a key driver of business growth.

"In the coming weeks we will be unveiling high profile sponsors and key participants for the Congress, but this prestigious event also provides a unique opportunity for  Liverpool organisations and businesses to become involved, particularly in our Festival programme, and make a real difference to their own ambitions and that of  the city. I look forward to hearing from them."

The Congress will open at the ACC Liverpool and see high profile keynote speakers, up to 3,000 entrepreneurs, a full Congress programme and around 25 'fringe' events aimed at inspiring and motivating local, national and international participants.

The Kauffman Foundation, is a philanthropic organisation based inKansas City,Missouri, and is the world's largest foundation devoted to entrepreneurship.

The Foundation's Global Entrepreneurship Week, a movement of innovative individuals and organisations, connects each November through more than 35,000 events and activities to shape the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Jonathan Ortmans, president of Global Entrepreneurship Week, said: "We are impressed byLiverpool's history and the work that is being undertaken by so many across the city to develop a culture of entrepreneurship.

"The new jobs to sustain global economic recovery are coming from firms less than 5 years old. The Global Entrepreneurship Congress provides an environment for policymakers, researchers and exemplary practitioners alike to exchange ideas and strengthen connections that fuel the all-important global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

"We hope that it will inspire and encourage the talented individuals and organisations in Liverpool to contribute to the growing movement to transform the entireLiverpoolcity region into a dynamic hub for creativity, innovation and job creation.

"Liverpool's plans for a global Festival of Entrepreneurship to celebrate innovation and ideas from a diverse range of organisations and individuals, including the Your Big Year programme will help accelerate the ongoing efforts to transform the city into a dynamic hub for creativity, innovation and job creation."

Your Big Year is an official annual competition of Global Entrepreneurship Week which last year attracted 45,000 entrants from 168 countries.

They compete in a series of Apprentice-style challenges to win the chance of travelling the world for a year, meeting global business and community leaders, working on international volunteer projects and focusing on a core theme of global citizenship through entrepreneurial spirit.

Last year's winners Carielle Doe fromNew Yorkand Michael Teoh fromMalaysiaare currently completing their 12-month adventure.

Your Big Year organiser, Chris Arnold fromLiverpoolcompany, Smaller Earth, which works to promote greater cultural understanding around the world, said: "Young, entrepreneurial individuals are the key to our future.

"Your Big Year aims to support enterprise and entrepreneurship while raising awareness of social responsibility and citizenship and encourages young people to participate and network beyond their own borders.

"Carielle and Michael are outstanding and inspirational individuals and have really made the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

"The search has now started for more people who most embody the spirit of global citizenship and enterprise and this prize will help them develop even further as individuals and give them a real foundation on which to build their future contribution to society."

For more information about the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012 in Liverpool, sponsorship opportunities and the Congress Fringe programme, visit www.gec2012.com