Gisborne hosted the first event of Global Entrepreneur Week this year - Check out the happenings below!

 

At 5:45 AM here in Auckland, the sun rose on New Zealand, on Global Entrepreneurship Week and on the entrepreneurial aspirations of millions of people around the world. I spoke to the Mayor of Gisborne, where the sun rises first and congratulated him on his distinction of hosting the first event of more than 13,000 to happen over the next 7 days. I also joined the morning TV shows - including ASB Business.

After gathering to witness the sunrise, we headed to Assa’s Deli - a new business that opened at sunrise on Simon Street where I had the honour of being the first customer.  Thank you Assa!   Zealand ranks as one of the easiest places to start a business - which is partly why why Assa who is from Israel chose to set up shop in Auckland.  While Global Entrepreneurship Week/New Zealand wants a wider base next year, Rob Acton (who has led the effort) should be proud of what lies ahead here this week.  Thanks especially to our sponsors IBM for hosting a women and technology event and Ernst & Young for planning a cocktail party and a luncheon seminar this week.

New Zealand just elected a new Prime Minister, John Key who ran on cutting taxes, freeing up business regulation and outsourcing more public services - policies that often help encourage new start ups. John Key inherits an anticipated 5.7 per cent unemployment rate, declining tax revenues, weaker export demand and lower commodity and housing prices but he did not look glum this morning.  Far from it - "Let the show begin" he said.  I would like to think he was referring to Global Entrepreneurship Week.  But if not, John, fear not, we are surrounding you with optimistic, "what’s your big idea", "make your mark" Kiwis who exude plenty of confidence and hope - something every world leader could do with a dose of right now.

Good luck all. Watch for my next post from Sydney later today.

Mark Ahn, Professor of Science & Technology Entrepreneurship at Victoria University, gets behind GEW in New Zealand, and kicks off with this passionate and inspiring video.

STOP PRESS   The Mayor of Gisborne, Meng Foon, will host the very first Global Entrepreneurship Week event in the world on Monday 17 November 2008. 

 

STOP PRESS   Jonathan Ortmans, President of Global Entrepreneurship Week, will be in New Zealand on Monday 17 November 2008 for the first GEW event in the world.

 

STOP PRESS   GEWNZ will host representatives from 35 embassies on 19 November 2008 as part of New Zealand's Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations.  The British High Commissioner His Excellency Mr George Fergusson will explain the origins of the week and GEWNZ's national ambassador for the week, Sam Morgan of Trade Me fame, will speak about the importance of youth entrepreneurship.  Global Sponsors Ernst and Young will host this event. 

Sam Morgan gets behind Global Entrepeneurship Week - check out what he has to say in the video below!

For more inspirational videos from leading New Zealand innovators and entrepeneurs, check out the New Zealand Unleashing Ideas site.

How? Easy.

• Tune in: Create your own account on unleashingideas.org. More and more applications will be unveiled as the Week approaches, offering you new and exciting ways to connect with others and unleash your ideas.
• Sign up: If you haven't already, register as a Partner and commit to plan at least one activity during the Week
• Reach out: Tell friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, classmates, local entrepreneurs and your community’s leaders about Global Entrepreneurship Week/NZ. The more people join us this November, the richer the opportunities for New Zealand,s  to network, gain experience, and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Don't wait... get involved today

9/22/08

Over time the definition of entrepreneurship has been chopped and skewed into many different ideas and explanations.  We want to hear your opinion on what the true definition actually is and what exactly makes someone an entrepreneur..........

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDW7PXMlroo

Unleash it @ work

 A NewZealand signature event --- information will be available on the website soon -- showing how you can participate and unleash great ideas within the workplace 

More signature events to be posted shortly

Unleashingideas NZ are pleased to be part of this exciting global initiative.  The word about Global Entrepreneurship Week in New Zealand is rapidly spreading and we expect there will be hundreds of events happening throughout the week commencing from 17th to the 23rd of November.

 

 

Welcome to unleashingideas.org.nz!