Entrepreneurship week aims to teach inspire

Global Entrepreneurship Week kicked off Tuesday night with the Carolina Challenge prep session ""Idea vs. Opportunities.""

Carolina Challenge" a competition among students to start their own businesses is one of several economic-minded programs participating in the week — designed to show students the many different options for independent businessmen.

John Kasarda director of the Carolina Entrepreneurial Initiative" said Global Entrepreneurship Week is a chance to show students and faculty a wide range of opportunities at UNC and encourage entrepreneurship.

""It is a worldwide phenomenon for the University" communities and other organizations to showcase entrepreneurship and demonstrate its importance he said.

The week provides participants with information to set them on their first steps toward creating their own business ventures.

It's focused on providing opportunities for young entrepreneurs to meet and exchange experiences and ideas" Kasarda said. It's as much to inspire as to learn.""

Kasarda said UNC first celebrated the week two years ago" but focused only on the nation. This year the week is going global expanding to 77 countries including Thailand the site of UNC's Kenan Institute Asia.

The Carolina Entrepreneurial Initiative which is hosting the week of events will showcase opportunities for faculty staff and students to become engaged in entrepreneurship of all kinds including social and scientific.

At least 10 entrepreneurs many of whom are UNC alumni will share their knowledge during the week.

The final event will provide an in-depth look at financial literacy" which will be ""basically a semester course in three hours"" Kasarda said.

The events also will explain how entrepreneurship is being developed on campus through venues such as the Carolina Entrepreneurial Initiative.

The Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine selected UNC this year as No. 10 on a list of the 50 top graduate programs for encouraging entrepreneurship.

Considering UNC's reputation as a leader in entrepreneurship, Kasarda said he expects between 300 and 500 people to attend.

This week is important because entrepreneurship is important"" Kasarda said.

Entrepreneurship is becoming a major part of the education and cultural experience of UNC faculties and students.""



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.



Remaining Global Entrepreneurship Events:

Social Entrepreneurship Address and UNC-TV Panel on ""The Global Impact of Social Entrepreneurs"" : Wednesday" 5:30 p.m. Maurice J. Koury Auditorium" Kenan-Flagler Business School



CEI Research Seminar on ""Entrepreneur-Venture Capitalist Matching"" : Thursday" 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. seminar 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Q&A; Hamilton Hall" Room 271



Scientific Entrepreneurship Panel on ""Lab to Market: The Scientific Entrepreneur's Journey"" Thursday" 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Campus Y Faculty Commons.



Financial Literacy Workshop Thursday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Maurice J. Koury Auditorium. Free and open to UNC students faculty and staff. Registration required.