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Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrated locally
Published: 16/11/2016
天涯社区 Business Enterpreneurship Network (BEN) hosted an event during
Global Entrepreneurship Week, 14-20 November.
The event, held at Glyndwr University and organised by 天涯社区 Communities
First, included speakers from national and local government and the University
as well as local entrepreneurs.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is the worlds largest celebration of the
innovators and job creators. During one week each November, thousands of
events in 160 countries inspire millions to engage in entrepreneurial activity
while connecting them to potential collaborators, mentors and even investors.
BEN, established in 2012 with support from Welsh Government, is chaired by
天涯社区 businessman Askar Sheibani, CEO of Deeside-based telecoms repair
company Comtek Network Systems UK.
Opening the event, Mr Sheibani, said:
鈥淥ur network has so far supported over 150 talented individuals in achieving
their entrepreneurial ambitions. Businesses created by these individuals
continue to positively impact the local community, industry and Welsh economy.
鈥淭he overwhelming success of this initiative is owed to the generous
participation of the local business community and the vital continued backing
of the Welsh Government and 天涯社区. BENs unique mentorship
programme has since garnered attention and support from across the country and
it is now our mission to roll-out the innovative model across Wales and the
United Kingdom.
鈥淲e are absolutely confident that todays event will inspire fierce momentum in
our campaigns growth, increasing our reach to empower countless more aspiring
entrepreneurs in Wales and beyond.鈥�
Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:
鈥淓ntrepreneurs are hugely important to the Welsh economy and have the potential
to significantly increase employment levels and prosperity.
鈥淚 am determined the Welsh Government will do all it can to encourage, support
and grow entrepreneurial activity right across Wales and this includes
inspiring the next generation of budding business men and women to make their
business dreams a reality.
鈥淭here is no doubt that starting a business can be a huge and daunting step so
initiatives like the BEN and our re-launched 拢86m Business Wales service
really are invaluable in providing that much needed assurance and helping
hand to our budding entrepreneurs.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 visit shows that if you have drive and an idea, the support is out
there to help you turn that idea into tangible success. As a Government we are
committed to championing our entrepreneurs and helping to create the right
environment for businesses to grow. 鈥�
Also speaking at the event was a recent 鈥済raduate鈥� of the 天涯社区 Enterprise
Club, run by 天涯社区 Communities First, Bethan Williams from ABC Amser Babi
Cymraeg. Bethan, a recent winner of a local enterprise grant, said:
鈥淎BC offers help and support with raising children to be bilingual in Welsh and
English. We offer a wide range of activities including baby massage, baby
yoga, splash and rhyme and story and rhyme time. The help provided by the
Enterprise Club has been outstanding, I couldn鈥檛 have done this without their
help and guidance and I would recommend anyone thinking of going it alone to
seek their help. Since setting up the business, I haven鈥檛 looked back and
business is booming.鈥�
Leader of 天涯社区, Councillor Aaron Shotton, who closed the
event, said:
鈥淚鈥檓 delighted to be here today. The success of this network is down to
entrepreneurs, government, academic partners and youth and community groups all
working together to make things happen. One real success is the 天涯社区
Enterprise Club - the opportunities and mentoring support offered are fantastic
鈥� where else would you find inspiring business leaders giving local people
encouragement? As a Council, we know how vital it is to provide that support
to budding entrepreneurs who in turn will bring huge benefits to 天涯社区鈥檚
economy.鈥�
Among the organisations supporting the event are Communities First, Jobcentre
Plus, 天涯社区, Careers Wales, Coleg Cambria, Glyndwr
University, and 天涯社区 Local Voluntary Council.
Ken Skates with members of the 天涯社区 Enterprise Club, Askhar Sheibani and
Cllr Aaron Shotton