Bermudian initiatives for the Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) were launched by the GEW Advisory Committee and aspiring young entrepreneurs, with the support of some 60 sponsors and local officials, during a ceremony at Suite Solutions on Mill Creek Road, Pembroke.

Junior Minister of Home Affairs Sylvan Richards, Senator Jeff Baron and US Consul General Bob Settje, were in attendance with Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC) Chairman Nick Kempe.

Mr Kempe noted that Bermuda joins some 150 countries worldwide in celebrating entrepreneurship with over 30 activities and events during the course of the next three weeks.

He said: “I am looking forward to this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week as the team has managed to surpass the bar set last year in terms of events. If you are new to business or thinking about starting one, you must take advantage of the myriad of educational, networking and promotional opportunities. This week serves as a celebration of those risk-takers that will lead Bermuda’s economic recovery.”

The Advisory Board is the driving force behind the coordination of the core events during Global Entrepreneurship Week, November 17—21.

Junior Minister Richards encouraged young people to take calculated risks, stating: “If you don’t take the risk, you can’t get the reward.”

Included in the launch, the first event for GEW was the award presentations for students who participated in the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative (YEI) 2014 BizCamp.

Joe Mahoney, executive director of YEI was joined by Senator Baron, representing the Ministry of Education and Economic Development, to present the students with their prizes. Top finishers from the two sessions then presented their business plans (referred to as “BizPlans”) to the audience.

Dahji Grimes went through his computer customisation plan, and Logan Henschke and Elysse McCarron showed their plan for a water shuttle from the airport.

Senator Baron noted: “Bermuda can be proud of each of the 28 teenagers who took part in the BizCamps this summer. I would like to congratulate each one of them and recognise that they are honing their skills for their future and Bermuda’s future.

“I am always encouraged to see young Bermudians demonstrate the eagerness to learn the development of innovative ideas, and the sense of responsibility that comes with strategic planning and with setting a course to succeed.”

BEDC Business Development Officer Jamillah Lodge thanked local sponsors including PwC Bermuda, BCB, HSBC, Butterfield Bank, BPSU, Department of Ecommerce, Bermuda Tourism Authority, Deep Blue Communications, Dragonfly Ink, Nineteen, Goslings, Suite Solutions, SociaLee Media, The Chamber of Commerce, the Corporation of Hamilton, BEPRO and INTOBermuda.

GEW Rocket Pitch Competition Sponsor is PwC Bermuda, whose Bermuda Managing Director, Private Client Services, Tom Miller said, “PwC Bermuda is delighted to sponsor this year’s Rocket Pitch competition. Members of the PwC Bermuda coaching team for this event have already advised me that they are enjoying hearing the pitches in the preliminary rounds. They have been impressed with the ideas and enthusiasm of the participants so far and are looking forward to coaching the finalists prior to the final competition on November 18.”

Don Mackenzie, whose company owns and operates Suite Solutions, emphasised that it will be the entrepreneurial strength of Bermudians that creates growth in the future economy.

Mr Mahoney acknowledged the GEW Bermuda Host Committee: the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda (YEI), the Department of E-commerce, and the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation (BEDC). He highlighted Erica Smith, the BEDC Executive Director and her team for doubling the number of GEW events over last year to more than 30.

A celebration of Entrepreneurship and Innovation will be held on Thursday, November 20 in the XL Conference Room of O’Hara House beginning at 5.30pm.

To learn more about GEW Bermuda, go to www.gew.bm, www.facebook.com/gewbermuda, and www.bedc.bm.