Colombia’s Medellín to host 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Congress
Friday, 23 May 2014 00:01
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Entrepreneurs and startup champions from more than 140 countries expected
Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) has announced that the City of Medellín will host the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC).
Jonathan Ortmans, president of GEW and chair of the GEC, joined Minister Santiago Rojas Arroyo, head of Colombia’s Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism, and Mayor Anibal Gaviria Correa of Medellín to outline plans to strengthen the national and local entrepreneurial ecosystems to drive innovation and economic growth.
“There is a growing understanding by leaders around the world of the role entrepreneurs play in driving innovation and economic growth,” said Ortmans. “Medellín is an inspiring example of how a strong commitment to helping entrepreneurs start and scale new firms can bring stability and prosperity.”
The GEC is an inter-disciplinary gathering of thousands of startup champions from around the world where entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, thought leaders and policymakers explore different programs and policies to support the development of strong entrepreneurial ecosystems. It consists of two primary plenary sessions – the Start + Scale Forum and the Research + Policy Summit – as well as dozens of parallel sessions and fringe events that enhance networks and illustrate how collaborative communities can help startups launch and grow.
In addition, during the GEC leaders of Global Entrepreneurship Week campaigns connect to map out plans for the coming GEW in November when millions of people around the world participate in approximately 25,000 events, activities and competitions designed to help entrepreneurs take their next step.
Medellín will become the second South American city to host the GEC. Rio de Janeiro hosted the GEC and delegates from more than 100 countries in March 2012.
Past host cities include Kansas City (United States), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Shanghai (China), Liverpool (United Kingdom) and Moscow (Russia). In 2015, Milan (Italy) will host the GEC.
The GEC is co-hosted by Global Entrepreneurship Week, the City of Medellin and the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. It will be held in March 2016 at Plaza Mayor in Medellín and is expected to attract delegates from more than 140 countries.
