Announcement: Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013 CEO visits Portsmouth to celebrate National success

17/11/2013

Portsmouth recognized for global success in Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013

It's no surprise the UK GEW CEO, Andrew Devenport, has decided to visit Portsmouth and help celebrate the tremendous support the City is giving to GEW 2013. With 76 events currently scheduled, and more being added daily, for Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013 - the nation's largest entrepreneurship-focused campaign - Portsmouth has been identified as one of the largest host cities in the world. With over 1,200 attendees already registered, the Entrepreneurs Unite volunteers and 36 partner organizations are working tirelessly to make it a success both for the Entrepreneurs and the City.

This global event runs from 18-24 November and will be encouraging current and aspiring entrepreneurs to take a step forward in their plans - whether that's starting a business, seizing or developing a new opportunity or finding out more about careers in enterprise.

Last year 279,500 people attended over 3,200 events, organised by 532 partner organizations across the UK - a 30% increase on the year before. This year the campaign aims to reach thousands more, through offering local and practical events that can inspire and educate people about what support is available to entrepreneurs in Hampshire and across the UK.

Andrew Devenport, Youth Business International CEO and GEW UK host, called for more people to get involved in the Week, saying:

"Setting up a business is a great employment opportunity for many people who have the talent, but lack the means or the confidence to progress their ideas. I would encourage anyone with a business or business idea to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week and find out what support is available to help them take a step forward. By helping people to help themselves, we are equipping the next generation of entrepreneurs to make a valuable contribution to both the economy and society."

If you would like more information about Global Entrepreneurship Week or to find out how you can get involved or register an event, visit www.entrepreneursunite.co.uk

Ends

Notes to Editors: 

Entrepreneurs Unite is a community group managed by volunteers and sponsored by local business people.

Our aim is to create focal point for the business community bringing together talented and creative individuals to inspire and support entrepreneurship in the Portsmouth area.

Entrepreneurs Unite is being launched in Global Entrepreneurship Week 18-24 November 2013 and aims to host and promote many events during that week and throughout the year leading towards an even more successful Global Entrepreneurship Week in 2014.

Andrew Devenport

Andrew is Chief Executive of Youth Business International and leads the global network's efforts to help more young entrepreneurs start up in business. He is an expert on youth entrepreneurship around the world and works closely with YBI members on issues such as resourcing, operations and governance.

He focuses particularly on the strategic development of the global network and initiating and managing complex multi-stakeholder relationships across the world. Prior to joining YBI, Andrew spent 18 years in investment banking, most recently as a managing director at Goldman Sachs.

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week (18-24 November 2013) is the world's largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship. Each year, it plays a critical role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own business. It is a worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people. Around 130 countries across the globe are signed up to take part, with an estimated 7.5 million people taking part! Millions of people will use the week to create new opportunities and successful ventures.

This year's Global Entrepreneurship Week will also be celebrating 10 years of enterprise history in the UK. The first Enterprise Week - now Global Entrepreneurship Week - was held in 2003, so 2013 will be our tenth anniversary. Over this time, everyone involved has helped hundreds of thousands of people make the most of the start-up opportunities that exist in the UK.

The week is run in the UK by Youth Business International, a global network which already runs the event in eleven other countries, in partnership with Barclays. www.gew.org.uk

Youth Business International

Founded in 2000 by HRH The Prince of Wales, Youth Business International (YBI) is a global network of independent non-profit initiatives helping young people start and grow their own business and create employment. YBI supports under-served young entrepreneurs with a combination of training, access to capital, mentoring, and other business development services. YBI members have helped over 100,000 young people to create their own business and generate employment. An estimated 70% of these businesses are still trading after three years, with many going on to create significant levels of employment and further benefits for their communities.www.youthbusiness.org