Former US president Bill Clinton, survival expert Bear Grylls and designer Orla Kiely are set to feature among more than 450 UK-wide events at Global Entrepreneurship Week 2012 (GEW).
Launching on Monday November 12 and running to November 18, the worldwide event, which last year involved 900 UK partner organisations and attracted 213,000 people, will run simultaneously in 115 countries.
The UK branch of the international event is to be launched by hosting enterprise charity Youth Business International (YBI), on November 12 at The Wayra Academy.
Hosted by Sunday Times enterprise editor Rachel Bridge, the event will involve guest speakers including the business minister Michael Fallon and Wayra’s Europe director Simon Devonshire, as well as start-up stories from small businesses.
Hundreds of flagship start-up boosting events are set to take place across the week at locations including the British Library, which will host seminars and webinars, as well as an Inspiring Entrepreneurs event featuring designer Orla Kiely.
Entrepreneurs 2012, which last year featured Lord Sugar and Sir Richard Branson, will host keynote speakers Bill Clinton, Ruby Wax and Bear Grylls and Entrepreneurs Wales 2012 will feature Ariadne Capital’s Julie Meyer and Iron Maiden singer Bruce Dickinson.
In addition, Shell LiveWIRE LIVE is set to offer business advice to 16-30 year-olds and The Prince’s Initiative is hosting a conference for entrepreneurs over 50.
Other inspiring events include the Morgan Foundation Entrepreneur Awards 2012, where £115,000 cash prizes are to be announced and Britain’s Biggest Breakfast Networking event hosted by StartUp Britain.