Spark the Fire GES+ Startup Pitch Competition finalists pose for a photo at GES 2016 in Silicon Valley, California.
Editor’s Note: This entry was originally published on DipNote, the U.S. Department of State's blog.
By: Lisa Dyer
As summer turns to fall, we grow more and more excited to co-host the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) with the Republic of India November 28-30. Announced during Prime Minister Modi’s June 2017 visit to the White House, the summit presents an invaluable opportunity to advance global economic prosperity. Hyderabad -- one of India’s most vibrant and innovative cities -- is the perfect backdrop for convening entrepreneurs and investors from around the world seeking opportunities to take advantage of emerging trends, resolve persisting challenges, and spur innovation into action.
It is clear the best ideas can come from anyone, anywhere around the globe. This Summit proves that by providing the platform for these ideas to unite under the shared visions of solving 21st century challenges and fostering global economic growth. Harnessing this creative potential is why our focus on, celebrating “Women First, Prosperity for All” -- the theme of this year’s summit – is so important. To demonstrate the important role women can play when included in the global economy, GES 2017 will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of women entrepreneurs and investors driving innovation in four industries: energy and infrastructure, healthcare and life sciences, the digital economy and financial technology, as well as media and entertainment.
Delegates work together during a breakout session on Day 1 of GES 2016.
Building on the success of GES 2016 in Silicon Valley, we will feature ecosystem supporters, startup facilitators, and thought-leaders actively engaged in and supporting the development and success of entrepreneurs. Our Silicon Valley summit convened more than 1200 entrepreneurs and investors, offering targeted skills training, mentorship, industry meetings, networking, and pitch competitions. In fact, last year’s Pitch competition winners left California with hundreds of thousands of dollars in new capital, and more than a billion dollars in new investments were announced. Here is a snapshot of real-world outcomes generated by past Global Entrepreneurship Summits:
Endeavor, an organization that supports entrepreneurs around the world, launched a $100 million co-investment fund—Endeavor Catalyst II—to invest in high-growth companies across Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Endeavor Catalyst II is a commitment by Endeavor and private sector leaders to support projects across the globe over the next four years. To date the fund has $30 million in pre-commitments.
- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced new investments totaling more than $38 million that helped mobilize the power of global entrepreneurs and innovators in the fight to end extreme poverty.
- Each of the nearly 5000 entrepreneurs who applied to attend GES 2016 was invited to join USAID’s Global Innovation Exchange, a free online marketplace for entrepreneurs, investors, and experts to connect and share insights and resources.
GES 2016 Spark the Fire GES+ Startup Pitch Competition Winner Kennia Mattis of Jamaica.
This year’s Summit will feature a wide range of workshops, panels, master classes, pitch competitions, and networking sessions aimed at giving participants tailored opportunities to gain skills and develop relationships that will help their ventures grow in the global marketplace.
Uniting some of the world’s most prominent and promising entrepreneurs and investors in one place, GES is one of the most visible symbols of global entrepreneurship. We look forward to this opportunity to both celebrate and further support the critically important role women play in entrepreneurship and innovation.
GES 2016 participants gather together and network at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA.
For further information on GES 2017, visit www.GES2017.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #GES2017.
About the Author: Lisa Dyer serves as the Acting Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs in the State Department's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.
Editor’s Note: This entry was originally published on DipNote, the U.S. Department of State's blog.