TN.gov Newsroom

State of Tennessee Launches Entrepreneur Video Competition for Next Generation of Entrepreneurs

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today it will participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 16 – 22, to celebrate the vital role entrepreneurs play in innovation, job creation and economic recovery.

“Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of communities across Tennessee. They provide a firm foundation on which further economic development and growth are generated. We are proud to support the efforts of Global Entrepreneurship Week, and we look forward to spotlighting entrepreneurs throughout our state,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a worldwide event intended to inspire, connect, mentor and engage young people with the desire to change the world. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 84 percent of businesses in Tennessee have fewer than 20 employees and generate more than $23 billion, or 12 percent of total personal income.

To further celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Tennessee ECD’s Business Enterprise Resource Office and Tennessee Main Street Program are promoting entrepreneurship in Tennessee with a statewide video competition. Entrepreneurs are invited to prepare a short video that answers the question “What makes you an entrepreneur?”

Finalists will be selected from five business categories: Main Street/downtown; home-based; agri-business; arts and entertainment; and innovation. Videos should be no longer than five minutes, and the overall state winner will be announced during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Complete contest details can be found at the official website: http://www.tnecd.gov/tnopenforbusiness/.

During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2008, Tennessee partners hosted more than 30 events, reaching 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners. This year’s celebration is shaping up to be even bigger. In addition to the statewide video competition, more than 40 organizations from throughout the state have volunteered to plan activities that promote entrepreneurship or recognize local entrepreneurs and small business activities. Activities include:

• Will this Float? (Tri-Cities) – In this business idea pitch game show, contestants will have five minutes to pitch their business idea in front of a live audience
• Global Innovation Tournament (Oak Ridge and Knoxville) - This "Apprentice-style" competition pits student teams around the world against one another with the goal of promoting innovation and problem solving
• 48 Hour Launch (Chattanooga) – Designed to inspire entrepreneurial action within local economies, 48 Hour Launch unites creative individuals, with varying areas of expertise, to achieve the common goal of launching at least one start-up business in a 48-hour period
• Below the Line: A Film Panel Evening (Nashville) – Panel discussion for high school and college students interested in the entrepreneurial aspects of the film industry, particularly in “below the line” opportunities
• Opportunities for Entrepreneurship (Martin) – A panel discussion on the University of Tennessee Martin campus that focuses on successful entrepreneurs, particularly in rural Tennessee
• West Tennessee YouTube Competition (Memphis) – A YouTube competition for high school youth that encourages them to use video to express the benefits of choosing a career as a business owner

For a complete list of Tennessee Global Entrepreneurship Week events, please visit: http://www.tnecd.gov/gew.

About Global Entrepreneurship Week
Global Entrepreneurship Week is a global initiative to promote entrepreneurship, innovation and creativity in local communities across the globe. On the week of Nov. 16-22, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and to seek better ways of doing things. Thousands of activities are being planned in more than 70 countries around the world. Global Entrepreneurship Week is founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. To view a complete list of participating countries and organizations or to learn more, visit www.unleashingideas.org.

About Business Enterprise Resource Office
The Business Enterprise Resource Office (BERO) works to expand economic opportunities for small, rural, minority and women-owned businesses in Tennessee by providing information on procurement opportunities, loan programs and management programs with Tennessee private industry and government entities. BERO is an office within the Department of Economic and Community Development.

About Tennessee Main Street
The Tennessee Main Street Program is a comprehensive revitalization program designed to promote the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts throughout the state. The Tennessee Main Street Program provides communities with technical assistance and expertise that promotes economic growth through the context of historic preservation.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to create
higher skilled, better paying jobs for all Tennesseans. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.

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Contact: Valerie Somerville, ECD
Office: (615) 532-1925
E-mail: valerie.somerville@tn.gov