The pick of Global Entrepreneurship Week

Global Entrepreneurship Week is the week of the year for small business events. From 14 to 20 November, hundreds of workshops, conferences and networking sessions will take place nationwide ― many of which are free. We’ve picked out the main events for you

Events during the week range from Bookkeeping for Beginners in the East Midlands to Speed Networking in Yorkshire. You can search for events near you on the Global Entrepreneurship Week website. Here is our pick of those to attend:

1.  For free

Business Startup Show

This exhibition in London’s Earls Court from 17 to 18 November includes seminars, workshops and speed networking sessions. Last year, approximately 14,000 visitors attended. Speakers will include former Dragon James Caan, Will King, founder of King of Shaves, and Penny Power, founder of Ecademy. Register online for free entry.

British Library business networking sessions

Held at the Business & IP Centre in London, these networking sessions will follow a different theme over five days ― including Absolute Beginners, IP & Innovation, Women in Business, Marketing Maestros and Make it, Sell it. Two sessions will run each day, from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm.

Channel 4 workshops and talks

Three free events will run each day for would-be entrepreneurs and business owners on topics such as business trends and enterprising use of social media at Channel 4’s London offices — culminating in Global Entrepreneurship Day for 16- to 21-year-olds on 19 November.

Networking Newcastle

This free networking session on 17 November, organised by training provider PNE Group, is open to start-ups, enterprise agencies, training providers, funding organisations and anyone interested in setting up their own business. Promotional space for a stand is free, but limited.

2.  For selling to overseas customers

Go Global ― take your business to the world

Organised by home-working organisation Enterprise Nation, this conference on 15 November is aimed at helping small firms trade internationally ― workshops and seminars cover topics such as trading overseas online and marketing abroad. Speakers will include Rob Law, founder of innovative travel products Trunki, and Kate Castle, recent Dragons’ Den winner and CEO of BoginaBag. Tickets cost £50, but Donut readers can save 50 per cent by entering the discount code GLOBALDONUT.

3.  For networking

Growing Business Awards

This awards ceremony in London on 14 November recognises the best new British businesses of 2011. The black-tie dinner is an opportunity to make contact with high-profile business figures as well as rising stars of the small-business world. Attendees will include Ed Wray, founder of Betfair, and small-business minister Mark Prisk. Tickets cost £199 + VAT.

The Pitch

The final of another small-business competition, The Pitch, is an opportunity to meet with UK business leaders. Four regional finalists, plus a wildcard contestant chosen by the public, will pitch to a panel of experts in London including Sahar Hashemi, co-founder of Coffee Republic, for a £50,000 prize. The awards ceremony takes place on 18 November. Tickets cost £20.

Pitch your business or idea online to win £3k

Would-be entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas and existing small-business owners with a clear vision for business growth are being called on to enter the Enterprise Now competition, for a chance of winning a £3,000 prize.

Organised by business-to-business group-buying website Business Crayon, and supported by Start Up Donut, entrants will have up to 200 words to pitch their idea or business, which will then be subject to a public vote online.

One overall winner will receive a business kit worth £3,000 and be announced at the Business Startup Show on 18 November. In addition, 50 runners up will receive at least £400 worth of business support. The deadline for entries is 25 October.

Look out for our Donut coverage of Global Entrepreneurship Week during the week. We’ll have blogs on all the sites and you can also follow us at the events on Twitter.

Related articles:

• Find out what events are happening near you
• Visiting a trade show
• Targeting the best networking events