Branson backs Liverpool in its enterprise ambition
VIRGIN FOUNDER JOINS LEADING ENTREPRENEURS AT GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONGRESS 2012
Sir Richard Branson is backing Liverpool’s mission to be a world capital for entrepreneurship as he is announced as headline speaker at the city’s Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) 2012 - the world’s largest global gathering of startup champions.
Sir Richard has given his support to Liverpool as it takes steps to transform itself into a globally recognised home of entrepreneurship.
He said: “A strong economy needs to encourage entrepreneurs to create and grow their businesses. It is great to see the Kauffman Foundation backing Britain by bringing the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, a showcase of entrepreneurial talent, to Liverpool this March. I'm very happy to be supporting the event."
Sir Richard will be joined at the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool on 13 March 2012 by business heavyweights including former Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy, the UK Digital Champion and founder of Lastminute.com, Martha Lane Fox and Lord Michael Heseltine, former Deputy Prime Minister and founder of the Haymarket publishing group.
Other participants at the first ever GEC to be held in Europe are Paul Lindley of Ella's Kitchen, who has recently won the Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Orange National Business Awards; Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct and Company Shortcuts; former ‘Dragon’, Doug Richard, founder of School for Start Ups; and Steve Felice, president of consumer, small and medium business at Dell Inc.
GEC 2012 (9-16 March), whose headline sponsor is Lloyds TSB will gather 3,000 entrepreneurs in one place to celebrate enterprise and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs to be their own boss.
The Congress is hosted by Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Kauffman Foundation – the world’s largest foundation dedicated to entrepreneurship.
The Congress aims to unleash the potential of aspiring businesses through a week of events which will explore the concept of winning in business:
• Who Dares Wins - a celebration of the best in the business
• Who Cares Wins - nurturing talent to unleash ideas
• Who Shares Wins - inspiration to accelerate your business
Max Steinberg, CEO of Liverpool Vision, said: “Global Entrepreneurship Congress is a landmark international event and we are thrilled to be the host city for 2012. When we secured this prestigious event we wanted to attract a wide range of entrepreneurs and thought leaders and Sir Richard Branson is a major capture for Liverpool’s GEC and adds yet another outstanding name to a stellar list of speakers and participants.
“The Congress forms a key part of our ambition to encourage and celebrate entrepreneurship in Liverpool and create a meaningful legacy for the city.”
Jonathan Ortmans, chairman of GEC and president of Global Entrepreneurship Week, said: "Richard Branson is a visionary leader and we are honored to have him join the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. His experience and insight will be invaluable to the GEC, the premier inter-disciplinary forum for startup champions from around the world."
Throughout the week there will be a whole range of established GEC events such as the Kauffman Foundation’s International Research & Policy Roundtable, ‘Your Big Year’, Software City and Cleantech Open as well as themed days including women’s entrepreneurship, social enterprise and Liverpool Business Fair.
The GEC is also being supported by Liverpool Community College, Liverpool Community Health, Liverpool John Moores University, ARUP and Cosmopolitan Housing.
Tickets for the GEC Main Event on Tuesday 13th March are available from www.gec2012.com
For more information on packages available, sponsorship opportunities and the Congress programme visit www.gec2012.com You can also follow GEC 2012 on Twitter @gec2012 and join the Facebook page www.facebook.com/gec2012
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NOTES TO EDITORS:
For more information please contact:
E: Jonathan.Caswell@liverpoolvision.co.uk
T: 0151602946
M: 07515999422
E: Nicole.green@sevenhillsgroup.co.uk
T: 02071992204
M: 07977402219
Alex.Saggers@sevenhillsgroup.co.uk
T: 02071992203
M: 07816885435
Global Entrepreneurship Congress is the world’s largest gathering of start-up champions from around the world. Liverpool hosts the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in March 2012.
It is hosted by Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Kauffman Foundation – the world’s largest foundation dedicated to entrepreneurship.
For more information on packages available, sponsorship opportunities and the Congress programme visit www.gec2012.com You can also follow GEC 2012 on Twitter @gec2012 and join the Facebook page www.facebook.com/gec2012
Liverpool Vision is the city’s economic development company which integrates economic and physical development and business and enterprise support designed to accelerate the city’s growth and build a sustainable economy.
The Kauffman Foundation works to harness the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to grow economies and improve human welfare. Through its research and other initiatives, the Foundation aims to open people's eyes to the possibility of entrepreneurship, promote entrepreneurship education, raise awareness of entrepreneurship-friendly policies, and facilitate the commercialization of new knowledge and technologies.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life and drive economic growth. During one week each November, more than 35,000 events and competitions in 120 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors.
#GEC2012
You can read the Guardians recent coverage of this announcement here.
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