Celebrating all things entrepreneurial is the goal of November 14 – 20’s Global Entrepreneurship Week. Shining a light on the potential impact entrepreneurs can have on innovation and sustainable development in our communities, Global Entrepreneurship Week turns our attention to all things new business and hopes to encourage prospective young business people to embark on their own business journey.

What is Global Entrepreneurship Week?

Originally launched in 2008 by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and having a presence in the UK and US, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) now reaches over 165 countries. Our understanding of what an entrepreneur is or should be and, by extension, what ‘good’ business is and should be, has undoubtedly changed over the years. Originally, we understood good business and being a successful entrepreneur to involve launching a business that makes money and therefore is worth money when sold. But these days community, society expectation and understanding is different.

Now, we understand that businesses should not only contribute to the growth of the economy, produce value and innovation and ensure strong competition, but they should also have a responsibility to improve economic equality, social justice and sustainability. Focus has shifted to the collective responsibility of business, sharing resources, committing to low emissions, forging ecological business practice and pursuing business goals that have positive impact on the people and planet around us.

GEW pursues themes of education, ecosystem, inclusion and policy to empower nascent entrepreneurs and those who face systemic barriers to starting and scaling their own business. Echoing these sentiments in its fundamental mission, the Go For It programme does exactly that here in Northern Ireland.

Just Go For It

Go For It is a free programme providing professional advice and business start up help and mentoring to any aspiring entrepreneurs. Creating tailored help and advice, it combines the person with the product  and strategy that can help build your business plan in order to launch and scale your business idea. Professional advisors help you clarify your plans and focus your ideas as well as identify and troubleshoot potential problems. They advise you on financial forecasting and set strategic goals, assisting as you take your idea from inception to launch.

In addition, Go For It offer a wealth of completely free information via their blog and social channels. From how to find financial support, to how to launch a business in a recession, Go For It supply free and expert guidance. Any business questions you have as a start up or scaling business can be answered either via the free resources or by meeting with one of Go For It’s business advisors.

What better way to acknowledge and celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week than turning your business idea into a reality alongside Go For It?