Global Entrepreneurship Week To Launch In Belfast

Several free events for new and existing entrepreneurs will be taking place in Belfast as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW).

GEW runs from 16 to 22 November and is one of the world's largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship playing an important role in encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs to consider starting up their own businesses.

This year’s theme 'Make it Happen' aims to encourage entrepreneurs to seize the opportunity to start their own enterprises.

GEW will kick off in Belfast with a joint event organised by the Council in conjunction with Barclays – the Belfast Digital Business Club focusing on the theme of Innovation.

This business club will be held in the City Hall on Monday 16 November from 5.30pm-8pm. It will include presentations on digital innovation and an interactive showcase around digital technology and innovation.

Staff from Barclays will offer advice on connecting with customers in a digital world with topics covered during the evening including making social media work for your business; the importance of resilience for SMEs and booking a digital business review.

The City Hall will also play host to a one stop shop event for budding entrepreneurs on Tuesday 17 November. ‘Make it Happen’ will take place in the Great Hall from 12 noon-4pm and will be an opportunity for new businesses or budding entrepreneurs to meet local organisations that can provide help on starting a business.

Among the exhibitors at the event will be social enterprise clubs, the SME Centre at University of Ulster, Ormeau Business Park, City Business Hub, enterprise agencies, SENI, Barclays and Entrepreneurial Spark.

On Wednesday 18 November, student teams will battle it out against one another in the ‘Social Innovation Student Challenge’ taking place at The Hive from 12 noon- 5pm.

Belfast Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) with support from Belfast City Council will also host a 'Journey to Success' event at the Black Box on Thursday 19 November from 5.30pm - 8pm. Attendees to this event will hear from local business owners who will share their stories on how they ‘made it happen’, charting their journey to success. They will have the chance to put questions to a panel and network with other businesses.

On Monday 16 November, the Council will also be hosting a free seminar in City Hall from 11.45am-2.30pm around procurement opportunities. This seminar will provide an overview to new entrepreneurs on council procurement processes, information on how to find out about upcoming tender opportunities and tips on compiling a tender proposal document.