Insider Media Limited

Hundreds of entrepreneurs from across the region will descend on Birmingham next week as the city prepares to host Global Entrepreneurship Week. The event will be launched by West Midlands-based Michelin-starred chef, Glyn Purnell.

Now in its fifth year, the event aims to bring together agencies and professional bodies with local entrepreneurs to offer advice and support to new and existing enterprises.

The event has been devised by Enterprise UK and is being spearheaded by Birmingham City Council to promote and support global enterprise. This year’s event, organised by Birmingham Central Library, offers a week of themed days. The days will be based on young enterprise, gaming and technology, women’s enterprise, social enterprise and high growth.

Speakers at the week-long event include Stephen Hughes, chief executive of Birmingham City Council; Simon Jenner, owner of Urban Coffee Company; Patricia Geraghty, from Central England Business Angels; and Mohammed Zahir, head of Business Development and Innovation for Birmingham City Council.

Councillor Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture at Birmingham City Council, said: “Global Entrepreneurship Week is an unmissable opportunity for entrepreneurs to receive free advice from those who know best about business.

“We have thought long and hard about this year’s event and are confident that the panel of speakers we have selected will offer vital support both to those businesses just starting out and high growth companies.

“Times are difficult at the moment with high numbers of people made redundant across industries, many are deciding to utilise their own skills and contacts to set up businesses.”

Last year, more than 950 entrepreneurs took part in the event.