The Insider Archive
Insider: Celebrating Entrepreneurs:Global Entrepreneurship Week Comes to Philadelphia
Innovation Matters, Volume 2, Issue 3 - November 5, 2008
With the goal to inspire people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to think big, to turn their ideas into reality, and to make their mark. From November 17-23, 2008, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Thousands of entrepreneurial activities are being planned in more than 75 countries around the world.
And much of the action is taking place in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has a long tradition of being a nurturing home to entrepreneurs starting with Ben Franklin, the first and most famous entrepreneur in the U.S. Today, Philadelphia is home to successful start-up businesses, growing companies, colleges and universities that educate budding entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who fund start-up companies. In addition, organizations such as Innovation Philadelphia, the Ben Franklin Technology Center, and the Science Center provide resources and expertise to entrepreneurs, which in turn grows the economy and creates jobs in the Philadelphia Region.
The Global Entrepreneurship event in Philadelphia,UNLEASHPHILLY , will take place on November 18th at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from 10: 00 am to 4:00 pm. This day-long event will include panel discussions, a networking lunch, and keynote speaker Richard Caruso, Ph.D, the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and Founder and Chairman of Integra LifeSciences Corporation. Panels at UnleashPhilly include a "Panel for Success", "Music, Social Media, and Money" and "Impact of President Elects Policy’s on Eastern Pennsylvania Business."
"The objective of UNLEASHPHILLY is to uncover and harness the potential of Eastern Pennsylvania's entrepreneurial assets, and to create meaningful sustainable connections amongst the participants from all walks of life," said Carmen Scott Dawson, State Director for Global Entrepreneurship Week and President of Advanz, LLC.
"UNLEASHPHILLY and Global Entrepreneurship Week will bring together aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, researchers, economists, serial entrepreneurs and venture groups from around the world in an effort to empower individuals to create and foster the entrepreneurial spirit,” Dawson added. “Philadelphia is the birthplace of American entrepreneurship and we will demonstrate that to the 76 countries participating in the Week through our collective creativity. Every entrepreneurship enthusiast is urged to attend, learn, interact and have lunch on us."
Entrepreneurship is much more than a business term. Entrepreneurs come in many forms and in many professions, from finance and marketing to design and education and social entrepreneurship. Many of these topics will be the focus of additional events taking place around the city throughout November and Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The Founder Factory
The 2008 Founder Factory is focused on the ecosystem that's needed in Philly to support entrepreneurs in the region. On Thursday, November 13, 2008, five entrepreneurs from all backgrounds will discuss their journeys as entrepreneurs and provide feedback to three new start ups. The Founder Factory will be held at World Cafe Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Speakers at the Founder Factory include accomplished technology CEO Lucinda Holt, seasoned entrepreneur turned venture capitalist Gil Beyda, partner in Morgan Lewis's Business and Finance Practice Stephen M. Goodman, active entrepreneur and investor in the Internet industry Josh Kopelman, and consultant Bob Bickel. Tickets are available online at www.founderfactory.com
Wharton SBDC
The First Step Workshop at the Wharton SBDC will assist entrepreneurs in starting down the path to successful business ownership by helping to evaluate business ideas, develop a business plan, and explore financing options. The workshop, taking place at the Jon Huntsman Hall (3730 Walnut Street, Philadelphia) on November 18, 2008, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., will address the key areas to consider in successfully starting and managing a small business and provides entrepreneurs with the tools to assess and minimize risk through research and planning.
Entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the First Step workshop can schedule one-on-one meetings with business consultants to help turn their business ideas into a reality. To register for the First Step workshop contact the Wharton SBDC at (215) 898-4861 or visit http://whartonsbdc.wharton.upenn.edu/
Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship
The Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship at Drexel University will also be holding events for entrepreneurs in all stages of the business life cycle. Events being held throughout Global Entrepreneurship Week include “What It Means To Be An Entrepreneur”, “Open Innovation - Sharing Intellectual Capital Innovations for the Aging Baby Boomer Market”, “The Meaning and Value of Entrepreneurship Globally” and webcasts for students on innovation and entrepreneurship.
For a full list of Baiada Center events, please visit www.lebow.drexel.edu/centers/baiada/GEW/schedule.php.
While in a tough economic environment, it is seemingly more difficult for entrepreneurs to gain financial support for their ideas and innovations, these events will help entrepreneurs to connect with other entrepreneurs and with organizations that provide resources to assist in making their dreams of owning their own business a reality. A strong entrepreneurial community is essential to any region’s economic growth. Get involved this month to learn about the entrepreneurial community in the Philadelphia Region. For more information about additional events, times and locations of Global Entrepreneurship Week, please visit www.unleashphilly.org.
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