TechnoServe Joins World in Celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week
Initiative Brings Together Millions of People Worldwide to Inspire Innovative New Enterprises
WASHINGTON, DC, November 17, 2010 — For more than four decades, TechnoServe has operated according to the principle that entrepreneurial men and women are the cornerstone of the effort to lift communities out of poverty. That’s why the organization is pleased once again to play a leading role in Global Entrepreneurship Week.
Global Entrepreneurship Week, which runs from Nov. 15 to 21, is a worldwide initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. This year, nearly 100 countries are hosting official events where millions of attendees can exchange ideas and begin to develop the next generation of innovative, sustainable enterprises.
For the second straight year, TechnoServe is an official partner of Global Entrepreneurship Week. TechnoServe embodies the ideals of Global Entrepreneurship Week through its work to build businesses in the developing world. In particular, TechnoServe’s business plan competitions are a comprehensive tool to identify, train, mentor and fund promising small businesses. Since 2002, TechnoServe has run 35 business plan competitions in 14 countries. These programs have helped launch or expand more than 600 businesses, creating more than 2,700 new jobs.
During Global Entrepreneurship Week, TechnoServe staff members are organizing and participating in several events worldwide.
• In Chile, TechnoServe President and CEO Bruce McNamer speaks Wednesday at the country’s main Global Entrepreneurship Week event, which will focus on social entrepreneurship and innovation. TechnoServe’s regional Idea Tu Empresa business plan competition program has assisted more than 120 entrepreneurs in Chile.
• TechnoServe, the official host for Global Entrepreneurship Week in Swaziland, has coordinated 38 events throughout the country. More than 2,000 people are expected to participate. TechnoServe has run five business plan competitions in Swaziland since 2006, assisting 87 businesses.
About TechnoServe: TechnoServe empowers people in the developing world to build businesses that break the cycle of poverty. Growing enterprises generate jobs and other income opportunities for poor people, enabling them to improve their lives and secure a better future for their families. Since its founding in 1968, the U.S.-based nonprofit has helped to create or expand thousands of businesses, benefiting millions of people in more than 40 countries. The Financial Times has rated TechnoServe one of the top five NGOs for corporate partnerships. TechnoServe’s corporate partners include Cargill, The Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Nestle-Nespresso, Olam International, Peet’s Coffee & Tea and Unilever, among others. Charity Navigator has also awarded its highest Four Star ranking to TechnoServe.
For more information, please contact:
Andrew Eder, Senior Marketing Communications Coordinator, TechnoServe; Tel: +1 (202) 719-1327; Email: aeder@tns.org.
