This week is Global Entrepreneurship week.
It is the world’s largest celebration of innovators and job creators around the world. I believe it is a great time to recognize the tremendous value of entrepreneurs, the people who bring ideas to life, but also drives economic growth and expands human welfare!
The week long event includes over 35,000 different events going on in over 125 countries around the world. The purpose of this event is twofold:
To increase awareness about entrepreneurs and the organizations/networks that foster entrepreneurial growth, and
To bring people together to unleash ideas and do what it takes to bring those ideas to life.
These local events also provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to learn and experience the entrepreneurial spirit (check out the local events in the Tampa Bay area). For example, the St. Petersburg Greenhouse has a great entrepreneur event that happens every Wednesday. It is called 1 Million Cups, an event that is sponsored by Kaufman, Tampa Bay Innovation Center and the Greenhouse. Two entrepreneurs make their “pitch” of a great idea. As an observer you get to experience not only the pitch but you hear questions and comments from potential investors. The public is invited to attend at no charge or RSVP required.
Here is what I have learned over the last year:
Entrepreneurs are not just about making money. It is about making the world a better place by creating business products and services that solve a problem or address an issue. It is really bigger than THAT.
It is about communities coming together to foster a positive entrepreneurial eco system for all ages and all types of business startups that will result in stronger economic development growth.
Brad Feld, (Start-Up Communities), is one of the national thought leaders and pioneers that showed how this can work in communities across the world.
The Tampa Bay entrepreneurial community has grown significantly in the last year with some strong entrepreneur development programs at USF St. Pete, St. Pete College and the University of Tampa. There are a growing number of fantastic incubators, accelerators, networks and other development programs. I am proud to be a part of this growing community with the Encore Academy at the St. Petersburg Greenhouse. The Greenhouse is a great example of how the City of St. Pete and the St Petersburg Chamber are investing in long term economic development by fostering entrepreneurial growth with a wide variety of programs and services.
The climate for entrepreneurship in the Tampa Bay area is ripe and ready to grow. Take some time this week to learn and participate in an entrepreneur event in your community!
Bevan Rogel