Global Entrepreneurship Network Launches Platform to Manage Startup Competitions.

November 16, 2015

The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) have announced the launch of its new online platform to unleash ideas and power startup competitions around the world. The launch coincides with the first day of Global Entrepreneurship Week that takes place November 16th through Nov. 22nd.

Startup Compete is a global networking site and competition platform for aspiring entrepreneurs, mentors and advisors to connect with each other and bring potential business ideas to market.

“Hundreds, if not thousands, of competitions are taking place over the next seven days alone as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, This platform makes it simple for organizers, but more importantly, it helps budding entrepreneurs sharpen their skills and make connections that can turn a small idea into a global brand.” said Jonathan Ortmans, president of the Global Entrepreneurship Network.

GEN acquired the site, previously called iStart, from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, which had run it since 2009. Since that time, GEN has used the site to setup, manage and judge Startup Open, a competition to recognize some of the world’s most promising new startups.

To date, the competition platform has hosted 624 startup competitions with 29,394 business ideas submitted.

Startup Compete also provides entrepreneurs of all stages with a chance to showcase their business through profiles that help them build a stronger network of resources, get constructive feedback and meet potential partners. The site currently has more than 14,300 profiles with business ideas posted by entrepreneurs from 154 countries.

“The Global Entrepreneurship Network is a strong proponent of experiential learning opportunities,” said Steven Rodriguez, startup community manager for GEN. “We believe that combining those opportunities with global connections to potential collaborators and mentors greatly increases an entrepreneur’s chance for success.”

Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) is a year-round platform of programs and initiatives created by the communities that celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week each November. Aimed at creating one global entrepreneurial ecosystem, GEN helps people in 160 countries unleash their ideas and turn them into promising new ventures—creating jobs, unearthing innovations for society and strengthening economic stability around the world. For details on the programs and initiatives that make up GEN,

visit weareGEN.co and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.

1 COMMENT

Simon Fanie Ngubeni November 17, 2015 at 9:19 am

I would like to join the platform as I have more experience and knowledge in construction industry but short of working capital and equipments to alleviate poverty and build a brand for our company and expand to do franchising in construction industry as it develops daily with more techniques and artwork globally.All building are build by literate and illiterate people and after wards illiterates are not recognised at all like bulldozers after digging,levelling the roads are no more needed on that roads forever.