The Bermuda Economic Development Corporation is gearing up for the 2021 Global Entrepreneurship Week next month.

Launched in 2008, GEW is celebrated worldwide from November 8-14 and has grown to include more than 170 host countries and 50,000 partner organisations.

In Bermuda, the celebration of entrepreneurship will kick off early, on October 28, with the annual Youth Pitch preliminaries.

Aspiring entrepreneurs 18 and younger are invited to submit their business ideas and pitch virtually to a panel of judges for a chance to win a cash prize and start-up service package.

The top two finalists from the Youth Pitch competition will compete in the Rocket Pitch Finals, a hybrid in-person and virtual event, on November 9.

Applications for the Youth Pitch competition will be accepted until October 11 at 5pm.

The Rocket Pitch winner will take home a $5,000 cash award and a start-up package of services to help them launch their business.

The competition has seven categories: Pitch Pink, Pitch Town, Pitch Tech, Pitch Green, Youth Pitch, Pitch Co-Op and a new Pitch Food & Bev category sponsored by the Bermuda-based drinks giant Bacardi.

Douglas Mello, managing director at Bacardi International Limited, said: “We are proud to continue to show our support to the hospitality industry by sponsoring this new category in the BEDC’s annual Rocket Pitch competition.

“Pitch F&B will be an opportunity for local entrepreneurs to share their innovative and fresh ideas with the panel of judges and bring to life dining and entertainment experiences that make moments matter for our customers.

“The hospitality industry in Bermuda has a bright future and we hope this new category will inspire the next generation to push for their dreams.”

Applications are being accepted for the competition until October 25 by 11.59pm, the BEDC said.

The organisation said that it has partnered with Ignite Bermuda to offer the selected Rocket Pitch finalists an opportunity to participate in an in-person Pitch Bootcamp on November 1 to help them refine their pitches.

The annual Bermuda Tech Awards will take place virtually during GEW on November 12. Also known as the Technology Innovation Awards, they provide the Government’s Economic Development Department with an opportunity to celebrate innovative and solutions-driven Bermuda-based companies, organisations and individuals in the technology field.

A day later, the BEDC Business Awards take centre stage to celebrate the achievements, growth and resilience of Bermuda’s entrepreneurs. The virtual event features local businesses that the public has nominated to recognise their success within the last year.

The BEDC said that it will also celebrate those entrepreneurs that have dedicated themselves to personal growth and learning by completing the organisation’s educational courses.

In celebration of Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, a day-long virtual conference will be held on November 19 featuring keynote speakers, as well as a panel of local women entrepreneurs. This year’s theme is “Perseverance”.

Leading up to the day, Bacardi has partnered with the BEDC to sponsor a virtual brunch on November 14 for women entrepreneurs.

Jamillah Lodge, director of communication and development for BEDC, and GEW project manager, said: “We are eager for another exciting year of great events for Global Entrepreneurship Week.

“We are grateful to have so many opportunities lined up to showcase the entrepreneurial spirit of Bermudians. We continue to see many entrepreneurs succeed and bring their vision to life. We want to inspire people to make their business ideas a reality and celebrate those that have already started on that journey.

“We encourage anyone interested in starting their own business, or those who want to support small businesses and entrepreneurs, to take part in the events put on during November and beyond.”

Also next month, Enterprise Bermuda Accelerator in-person sessions begin on November 8, the BEDC will present the webinar “Is your online payment secure?” on November 10 and the organisation’s Reverse Pitch event takes place virtually on November 26.

For more information and to purchase tickets for events, visit www.gew.bm, e-mail info@bedc.bm or call 292-5570