Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013: 10 of the best events for the diary

Our guide to the 10 top enterprising events running across the country this week

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More than 3,000 events are taking place across the country in aid of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013.

From speed-networking with leading entrepreneurs to “hanging out” with Richard Branson, here’s our pick of the 10 top events taking place this week:

1) Liverpool screening of In the Den with the Dragons

When: Tuesday

Where: Liverpool

For those of you that can’t make it to London’s British Library In the Dragons' Den event, Liverpool Central Library is holding a live webcast screening.

Intended to give you insider knowledge on how to scale up your business, a panel of Dragons from the very first series to the latest will be sharing their tried and tested techniques.

Local entrepreneur Conrad Thornton from Green Street Media in Liverpool will be there in person to discuss his experience and you will be able to put your questions to the Dragons.

You can book your ticket here.

2) 10,000 Small Businesses, Business Growth Programme Information Event

When: Tuesday

Where: Leeds

The 10,000 Small Businesses Programme will offer approximately 100 hours of practically focused business and management education – designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business owners by leading international, national and local experts in entrepreneurial learning.

The programme is designed for leaders of established small businesses and social enterprises, who will benefit from targeted support and resources to help them define and achieve their business growth aspirations.

Funded by the Goldman Sachs Foundation, the 10,000 Small Businesses Programme is delivered for the Yorkshire and Humber region by Leeds University Business School.

3) Entrepreneur Wales 2013: The Big Debate

When: Tuesday

Where: Bangor

Following on from the success of its international debate last year, the Welsh government will be running a series of evening debating events across Wales.

The theme is ‘making Wales a more entrepreneur-centric place to do business' and will start from 5pm at Bangor University.

Keynote speeches will be given by Julie Meyer of Ariadne Capital and Kingsley Aikins, CEO of Diaspora Matters.

4) Scottish Start Up Summit 2013

When: Wednesday

Where: Edinburgh

Taking place in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms, the Scottish Start-Up Summit 2013 (SUS13) is where business experts share the secrets of success with young entrepreneurs.

SUS13 is the UK's biggest national, not-for-profit event for entrepreneurs. It features a varied, interactive, day-long schedule: inspiring speakers, workshops, presentations, network opportunities.

Around 500 young entrepreneurs will attend and will hear from a wide range of inspiring and successful speakers from various fields including marketing, retail, technology, food, film and media, recruitment, and entertainment.

5) Google+ Hangout with Sir Richard Branson and Pinterest CEO Ben Silbermann 

When: Thursday, 21 November

Where: Online

It’s your chance to join Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and Pinterest CEO and co-founder Ben Silbermann as they discuss and share their stories on Google+ Hangout.

Talking to a global audience, Branson and Silbermann will give an informal chat about entrepreneurial life, followed by a moderated Q+A session.

Questions will be taken from the Branson Centres of Entrepreneurship in South Africa and the Caribbean, VirginStartup in the UK, Startup Weekend and Virgin Mobile Colombia.

6) StartUp Britain Speed Networking

When: Thursday, 21 November

Where: London

StartUp Britain along with co-founder and serial entrepreneur Oli Barrett are looking to challenge the Guinness World Record for the number of people interacting at a business speed networking event.

Held on Thursday November 21 at 8.30am at Hub Westminster, the hour-long session will look to break the record set in Hong Kong last month which saw 406 people interacting and will aim to help people make useful business connections at the same time.

7) SME Growth Hack 

When: Thursday, 21 November

Where: London

Chinwag and the UKTI have collaborated on this free event which is for small and medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs with export potential.

The day, held in the heart of Tech City, will be split into panels, case studies, mentoring sessions and an exhibition all focused on the four key themes: Build. Promote. Sell. Inspire. The ticket also includes complimentary lunch and coffee for all attendees.

This event is for start-ups and entrepreneurs with potential for fast-growing UK businesses with export potential.

8) Shell Livewire Live: Young Entrepreneurs

When: Thursday

Where: London

This event will see up to 250 young entrepreneurs across the UK come together to network and learn from leading minds in the entrepreneur and business space.

Taking place at Altitude 360 at London’s Milbank Tower, business experts and business men and women will share their advice to starting up.

Speakers include Google’s director of business Richard Robinson and founder of Ariadne Capital, Julie Meyer.

Find out more about the event here.

9) Barclays business seminars and clinics

When: All week

Where: Nationwide

Barclays are running more than 150 free Get Ready for Business seminars across the UK as well as Barclays Local Clinics to help budding entrepreneurs.

Open to all, the seminars aim to give attendees the tools needed to take an idea from the drawing board to the real world.

Similarly, the clinics are open to all and run around the country in small interactive groups, where you have the chance to talk openly about the things that matter most in your business.

You'll have the opportunity to hear from experts, share experiences and get hands-on advice on how to shape your business for success. Plus, you’ll be able to network with other local business owners.

10) British Library Global Entrepreneurship Week events

When: All week

Where: London

The British Library’s Business and IP Centre will host a programme of events for entrepreneurs and small businesses as part of the Week. There will be free online webinars running all week along with specific events such as:

In the Den with the Dragons (see entry 1)

Leading entrepreneurs to have sat in the Den reveal what makes a winning pitch and how to scale your business.

Speakers include Kelly Hoppen, current Dragon and owner of Kelly Hoppen Interiors, Piers Linney, current Dragon and co-CEO of Outsourcery, and Doug Richard, series one Dragon and founder of School for Startups.

As tickets are limited, The British Library will be running a free live webcast from the event which you can take part in by registering here. You can put your questions to the speakers through the webcast or via Twitter using the hashtag #BLMarketing

The day will also see speed mentoring sessions with leading entrepreneurs and business experts.

Startup Saturday

Taking place on Saturday, 23 November and costing £30 this day-long event, which runs from 10am to 3pm, will include talks from serial entrepreneur Emma Jones and promises to deliver “all you need to know to be your own boss by the end of the day”.

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