Tennessee Leads Nation During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2009

Tennessee showcased its entrepreneurial spirit and led the nation in activities during Global Entrepreneurship Week, Nov. 16 - 23, with more than sixty events that celebrated the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery. Activities across Tennessee range from pitch contests and launch challenges to speaker series' and panels from various industries. The 2009 campaign built upon a successful inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, during which Tennessee partners hosted more than 30 events, reaching 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners.

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity in local communities across the globe. Thousands of activities were planned in more than 70 countries around the world with partners, including universities, high schools, non-profit organizations, successful entrepreneurs and government agencies.

Several pitch-style competitions were held across the state with the goal of cultivating business ideas, starting businesses and earning start-up cash and prizes for the new ventures. CreateHere hosted 48HourLaunch, a high-octane event at which entrepreneurs gather and try to launch as many companies as possible in a 48-hour period. The inaugural event, held in Chattanooga, Nov. 13-15, had more than 100 participants that launched seven projects. In the Tri-Cities, a coalition of organizations and individuals hosted the second annual competition, Will This Float? Entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a live audience, and the idea that "floated" the best with the audience won cash and prizes. In Memphis, LaunchMemphis hosted the first Escalator Pitch Competition, during which entrepreneurs pitched business ideas for a $10,000 marketing package including a $1,000 cash prize.

The State of Tennessee launched a YouTube competition for entrepreneurs to pitch their stories by answering the question "What Makes you an Entrepreneur?" The winner of the statewide competition will receive cash, professional marketing support and statewide recognition. The deadline for entering the video competition is Tuesday, Dec. 15.

Middle Tennessee State University once again led the academic support behind GEW in Tennessee by hosting a week-long series of speakers, tours and events. UT-Martin hosted an entrepreneurial discussion and a tour of the entrepreneurial support center. UT-Chattanooga hosted an entrepreneurial celebration for faculty and students. Vanderbilt University hosted sessions highlighting entrepreneurial endeavors by students, including a networking event featuring a local micro-brewer. Other participating colleges and universities include East Tennessee State University, Roane State Community College, Tennessee Technological University, Austin Peay State University, Volunteer State Community College, Tennessee State University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University, Jackson State Community College and Dyersburg State Community College.

Several events aimed at encouraging youth to consider entrepreneurship. Oak Ridge High School students participated in a Speed Network the Globe event hosted by the Oak Ridge Economic Partnership and the Roane State Community College SBDC. During this event, students conducted speed interviews with local entrepreneurs. The Upper Cumberland Development District in Cookeville and alt.consulting in Memphis hosted YouTube competitions for local students to express their entrepreneurial talents. Centennial High School students in Franklin, Tennessee, partnered with Belmont University to host an Entrepreneurship Day. The Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission hosted a forum at the Nashville School for the Arts to educate youth about entrepreneurial opportunities in the state's film industry. In addition, Tennessee Virtual Enterprise International hosted a trade show convening hundreds of students from across the US to compete in various business and marketing competitions. The City of White House and the White House High School hosted an Entrepreneurship Appreciation Day.

Many thought leaders gathered during the Week to discuss the importance of entrepreneurship. The Tennessee Valley Corridor's Fall Summit convened some of the state's highest political leaders to discuss innovation in the Valley, including entrepreneurship development. The Nashville Business Journal hosted a forum "What Does it Take to be an Entrepreneur in Nashville". LaunchMemphis hosted Core Conversations on Entrepreneurship to discuss entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in Memphis, and TechFuel, a networking forum designed for technologists, entrepreneurs, media (bloggers), and other business professionals to meet, and share ideas in a fun and open atmosphere. Leaders from the ETSU Innovation Laboratory led a discussion with local high school students during the forum "Are entrepreneurs born or made?" To recognize local entrepreneurs, the Nashville Entrepreneur Center released one video interview each day featuring leading entrepreneurs.

Training opportunities abounded for entrepreneurs and small business owners during the Week. A coalition of partners hosted "The Art of Business," an event for working artists to learn how to price their products, sell online and navigate health insurance options. The Kingsport Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship hosted its third annual small business night school in the Tri-Cities. LaunchMemphis hosted BarCamp, an open format event where programmers, designers and business owners participated in networking and educational opportunities. The Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted a financing workshop for Hispanic entrepreneurs, and Small Business Development Centers and BERO offices across the state hosted several workshops on starting, marketing, financing and expanding a business.

TENNESSEE TOPS STATES IN ACTIVITIES FOR GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

ECD Partners Plan More than 60 Events to Celebrate Entrepreneurship

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The state of Tennessee currently leads the nation in the number of events planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 16-22, which celebrates the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery. To date, Tennessee has confirmed more than 60 events, leading all other states in the nation by 19 activities. Tennessee also ranks in the top ten for partners, with more than 50 organizations across the state joining in to make 2009's celebration a success.

"Entrepreneurs provide the foundation that great companies and communities are built upon," said Matt Kisber, commissioner Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. "To have so many willing participants and activities for Global Entrepreneurship Week is a testament to the passionate, creative individuals we have living in our state. I am proud that Tennessee is standing tall amongst the nation and providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and share their skills."

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide event intended to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people with the desire to change the world. Partners include universities, high schools, non-profit organizations, successful entrepreneurs and government agencies.

Activities across Tennessee range from pitch contests and launch challenges to speaker series' and panels from various industries. The week officially kicks off tomorrow in Chattanooga with 48Hour Launch, a high-octane event at which entrepreneurs gather and try to launch as many tech companies as possible in a 48-hour period. Throughout the rest of the week, partners across Tennessee will host business idea pitch contests, launch challenges, speaker series' and entrepreneur training events. Some of the other activities include:

• Global Innovation Tournament, Oak Ridge -University of Tennessee at Knoxville business students participating in a global tournament will present videos showcasing their innovation solutions on how to make saving money fun.
• The Art of Business, Sparta - This event, geared toward working artists, will address the areas of pricing art, posting artwork online and protecting it, contracts, insurance, saving for retirement and healthcare options as an artist.
• MTSU Speaker Series, Murfreesboro - MTSU will host events, both on- and off-campus, throughout the week connecting college students with local and regional entrepreneurs.
• An Afternoon with Film, Nashville - The Tennessee Film, Entertainment & Music Commission will host two panels of film industry professionals that will discuss their work "below the line" at the Nashville School of the Arts to junior and senior high school students and freshman and sophomore college students.
• Core Conversations on Entrepreneurship, Memphis - The Society of Entrepreneurs and LaunchMemphis will host a networking event to bring together entrepreneurs from all across the area for an informal lunch and discussion on the events impacting the industry in Memphis.

For a complete list of Tennessee Global Entrepreneurship Week events, please visit: http://www.tn.gov.ecd/gew.