If ever there were a time to explore a new business idea, this week would be the time to do it.The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry officially kicked off the 4th annual Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) yesterday, which will run through November 18.“We recognise that it is imperative that we continue to support and provide opportunities to our young people in general through the work that is done by the team at BEDC,” said Minister Patrice Minors. “We acknowledge support of this week and congratulate the founders of Global Entrepreneurship Week, for providing a global stage that we can use to celebrate and highlight entrepreneurial achievements in Bermuda.”This is the fourth year that the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation, formerly known as the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation, and the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative have hosted the event in Bermuda.The Island will join more than 120 countries around the world in participation of GEW, and it is estimated that at least 10 million people will take part in 40,000 entrepreneurship events such as networking and mentoring activities and business plan competitions.Throughout the week there will be a range of different activities for individuals looking to hone their business skills, including an e-commerce workshop, which will feature a panel of experts including Alexandra Mosher, a local studio jeweller who was a participant in last year’s GEW and now has a successful website and e-commerce site up and running.The annual Rocket Pitch Competition is also underway, the finals of which will be held this Thursday. This year they have received 19 submissions, up from 16 entries last year.The first and second place winners of the 2010 competition, Kamillah Cannonier and John Narraway, respectively, have realised their dreams by opening up their businesses in 2011. Ms Cannoneir opened Sweet Saak Bakery and Mr Narraway started The Lyter Group, which sells sports apparel for women sizes 12 to 18.Also in celebration of GEW, last year’s televised episodes of Launch Pad will be re-aired on Bermuda Sports Network starting tomorrow. The show features Bermudian entrepreneurs pitching their business ideas to local banks in order to secure financing for their proposals.For more information about GEW, visit www.bsbdc.bm.