All set for Entrepreneurship Week

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November 16 marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week with the Convergence Partnership Office supporting several events.

Running this year from November 16-22, the week was first launched in the UK in 2004 as Enterprise Week. Last year it became Global Entrepreneurship Week with activities in 77 countries, attended by more than 3 million people (644,000 in the UK).

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Convergence Partnership Office for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This week celebrates entrepreneurs from all sections of society from micro-businesses and the self-employed, to social enterprises and large corporations. Entrepreneurs historically emerged from those activities or less advantaged backgrounds bringing with them innovative and novel ways of approaching business and new markets.

The aims of Global Entrepreneurship Week align with those of Cornwall’s Convergence Programme strengthening economic performance and creating greater opportunities for all.”

Kelemen will be hosting and speaking at a variety of events starting with Women’s Enterprise Day on November the 18. The Women in Business Breakfast, organised by Truro and Penwith College and hosted by the Institute of Directors, challenges concepts of the glass ceiling for women with guest speakers from Pirate FM.

The second event, in collaboration with the University of Plymouth, is a luncheon with key speaker Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Watkins sharing her view on ‘women shaping our future”’.

Kelemen added: “I am interested in the women’s enterprise business creation model in the United States. The Women’s Business Act of 1988 created new economic infrastructure which focussed on women’s enterprise. This resulted in over 30% more women’s businesses over a 15 year period. If we could replicate this in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly it would add millions to the local economy and introduce innovative ways of doing business locally.”

November 19 is Social Enterprise Day: Ms Kelemen will be speaking at a Cornwall Council event celebrating Cornwall Works for Social Enterprise – which receives ESF (European Social Fund) Convergence investment through the Jobcentre Plus co-financing plan.

This will include an exhibition of new enterprises launched as a result of the Cornwall Works programme. There will also be a free business advice clinic for people out of work with appointments until noon.