Global Entrepreneurship Network

Global Entrepreneurship Network

The world needs entrepreneurs – the doers and makers of things. This belief is the driver of the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), a year-round platform of projects and initiatives in 170 countries around the globe. GEN’s mission is to make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business.

Aimed at creating one global entrepreneurial ecosystem, GEN, through Global Entrepreneurship Week, celebrates the successes and impact of entrepreneurs in an effort to help break down cultural barriers and reach new audiences, expanding the number of people who, at some point in their life, consider fulfilling their dream of becoming an entrepreneur.

Through efforts such as Startup Huddle, amongst other programs, GEN offers resources intended to help smooth the path to market for founder teams and provide entrepreneurs at all stages with the support necessary to reach the next level.

What is Startup Huddle?

Startup Huddle is an international platform where startups get help by connecting with communities of fellow entrepreneurs and business professionals. The idea is to help build and empower local startup communities. The Startup Huddle format is consistent in each location worldwide; at a consistent meeting place, one or two early-stage startup founders give a 6-minute presentation about their company to a diverse audience from their local community. Each presentation is followed by a 20-minute question and answer session where the community provides ideas, connections and feedback for the entrepreneur.

Here in Curaçao, there are a plethora of innovative entrepreneurs with opportunities right at their fingertips. Ask anyone living on the island – there are an unlimited number of opportunities just waiting for someone to take on the challenge of making it happen. However, it is inevitable that, once the vision becomes a reality, challenges will be encountered along the way. Startup Huddle Curaçao provides entrepreneurs the opportunity to present these challenges to a broad array of peers from the local community, in an open forum environment where stimulating feedback is constructive and encouraging. Businesses up to 5 years old are eligible to pitch.

So far, there have been over 20 attendees at each event with tons of ideas and suggestions. Here is a recap of the presenters at Startup Huddle Curaçao in January and February of this year:

In January, Jonathan Rossman of Snapklik explained how we can order items online and receive the package right to our door. This startup is something new to the island, offering local residents the chance to pay one price for items online and avoid surprise fees down the road. Our attendees helped brainstorm marketing ideas to explain this new concept here on the island. To learn more, visit www.snapklik.com.

In February, our presenter was Rayni Rijke with the online Carnival platform called Karnavalista. This online solution is the one-stop shop for everything Carnival-related, including collecting group payments and other group management tasks. Karnavalista had its first Curaçao Carnival group use it in 2020. The attendees gave Rayni some excellent feedback on how he can bring the business to the larger global level he envisions. For more info about Karnavalista, check out the website at http://www.karnavalista.com.

More information about Startup Huddle Curaçao:

Startup Huddle Curaçao is a free, monthly program designed to engage, educate and connect entrepreneurs. From innovators, educators, and investors to local founders or entrepreneurial leaders, Startup Huddle Curaçao provides a platform to enrich and strengthen startup communities around the island. Both new and established startups up to 5 years old can apply to present their business for the opportunity to receive vital feedback from the community, and the community can share resources, connections and network with each other.

Every third Wednesday of the month, Startup Huddle Curaçao takes place at Curaçao Coworking Pietermaai, Abraham de Veerstraat #9, from 9:00 to 10:00am sharp, with some time for networking and socializing before and after the presentation. Coffee is on the house, provided by Café Barista, just bring your own mug (BYOM) as a way to minimize waste. Attendees can also utilize the space and work free onsite for the day after the event! For more information, visit www.curacaocoworking.com/startuphuddle or contact info@curaçaocoworking.com.