Three local GEW events you don’t want to miss
November 10, 2016 | Meghan LeVota
Global Entrepreneurship Week is coming up quickly and there are some events you won’t want to miss.
From Nov. 10 to 22, Kansas City will celebrate the global celebration along with more than 160 participating countries. Global Entrepreneurship Week was launched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in 2008 with the intent to inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity.
In 2015, GEW Kansas City attracted more than 10,000 attendees to celebrate with more than 100 events. Nathan Kurtz, senior program officer in entrepreneurship at Kauffman, said that the headcount is expected to grow this year.
“I think the most important thing (about GEW) is enabling access for those that are interested in entrepreneurship and don’t know how to get started,” Kurtz said. “With so many events, a week-long celebration localizes and humanizes entrepreneurship and allows you to have real connections with people so you can get started.”
Kurtz suggests three standout events for members of the community:
Multicultural Business Happy Hour
The Multicultural Business Coalition is hosting its third annual happy hour on Monday, which Kurtz said was a success last year.
“I think (the MBC) has done a lot for our community and brings inclusiveness to different populations who otherwise didn’t have a way to enter a conversation about entrepreneurship,” Kurtz said. “It’s important for both sides to choose inclusiveness and diversity — it’s a key way for all of us to be successful.”
The happy hour will gather different organizations that serve and support a diverse business community. In addition to networking with business professionals, attendees will have the chance to win giveaways that will help grow your business, with prizes like a tablet, Quickbooks subscription and more.
On Wednesday, Alamo Drafthouse will show Generation Startup, a feature documentary about six young entrepreneurs.
It captures the struggle of recent college graduates who built startups in Detroit, Mich., through a fellowship program. A panel discussion will be held after the film, led by co-director and producer Cheryl Miller Houser, founder and CEO of Venture for America Andrew Yang and VFA fellow Haley Shoaf. The event is free to attend but seating is limited.
Athena League VOX with LaunchKC winners
Thursday is Women in Entrepreneurship Day and Athena League is showcasing the winning female founders of LaunchKC’s Grant competition. Social media director of MyCroft, Kris Adair, CMO of FEWDM, Kacie Saunders and CEO of ConsultUS, Gretchen Henry, will share their experiences leading to their startup success. The panel will also share why they believe Kansas City has contributed to their success.
Kurtz said that Women in Entrepreneurship Day is a great way to connect women.
“In Kansas City, we need to make sure that everyone is not only invited but welcomed,” Kurtz said. “With Global Entrepreneurship Week, we hope that everyone will find a place that’s comfortable for them to come.”
For more GEW events, check out their website.
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