Sandrine Rattan
Programme co-ordinator, YBTT
Established in February 2000 as a non-governmental organisation, Youth Business T&T (YBTT) operates under the umbrella of Youth Business International, a global network headquartered in the United Kingdom.
Since its existence, YBTT has been responding to the entrepreneurial needs of under-served young people within the age group 18-35 years in the core areas of mentoring, loan financing and training. Many of these young people may have the thought or even a basic idea of hoping to start their own business, and are uncertain of their next move. YBTT is the entity that has been filling this much needed gap for the nation's young entrepreneurs for the past 14 years.
Since inception, YBTT has always been proactive in exploring new horizons aimed at empowering potential young entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills and tools required for the world of entrepreneurship. In so doing, the organisation took the international plunge in 2010, when they became the host of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) in T&T.
Though GEW is deemed to be the world's largest celebration of innovators and job creators who launch start-ups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare, its importance has grown beyond the week.
GEW has now been transformed into an expanding platform and/or conduit for connection and collaboration of various players within the entrepreneurial realm, that helps millions of people convert their ideas into promising new business enterprises. These are all aimed at providing solutions to socio-economic challenges which affect the world.
During one week each November, approximately 25,000 events and activities are hosted in more than 140 countries, which all redound to the benefit of participants who connect with collaborators, mentors and investors.Given its profound impact, GEW has influenced millions–who may have never even considered launching their own enterprises–to internalise advice and inspiration from world-renowned entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Michael Dell.
The impact of GEW does not stop here, as world leaders including US President Barack Obama and former US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, have both recognised the significance of the initiative, and in so doing, have publicly endorsed the concept at a macroeconomic level.
Given the level of innovation and entrepreneurial philosophy, coupled with the many conversations currently taking place within various quarters in the national community, the concept of GEW will aim to embrace a wider span of control in so far as further building on the entrepreneurial energies which already exist within the stakeholder community in T&T.
In so doing, the thrust of this year's celebrations will be organised in such a way so as to continuously fuel entrepreneurial activity in our economy thereby ensuring that innovative start-ups emerge quickly and the appropriate mechanisms are put in place to strengthen the capacity of existing small and micro enterprises.
Whilst GEW will be used as the main driving force behind this renewed socio-economic thrust, the voices, efforts and existing initiatives embarked upon by various stakeholders will be critical to the success of this new paradigm.Over the coming weeks, we will aim to edify our readers on how this initiative will evolve, by showcasing the organisations which are all part of the entrepreneurial pie!