Official Activities

Take part in a truly global event this year by registering for our four Official Activities:

Global Innovation Tournament
Organized by Stanford Technology Venture Program

GIT host-partner toolkit 

The Global Innovation Tournament is an "Apprentice-style" competition that pits students around the world against one another with the goal of promoting innovation. The challenge begins by revealing a common, global problem as the key focal point for contestants. They will have eight days to develop innovative solutions and create as much value as possible. Value can be measured in any number of ways, as long as it successfully implements new ideas and delivers results!

The event is team-based, with no maximum or minimum set on the size of the team. Teams have eight days to execute an idea and create a 3-minute video explaining their work, which is then submitted to YouTube.

Competition comes into play both locally and globally. The first step is selecting a local winner during the Week. To do this, area Hosts will coordinate a panel of judges, made up of local business and civic leaders. A separate panel of judges will then select a global winner from these local winners, shortly after the Week.

Speednetwork the Globe
To unleash energy, share ideas and make connections -- fast!

SNTG partner toolkit 

Speednetwork the Globe aims to bring together entrepreneurs of all backgrounds to unleash energy, share ideas and make connections -- fast.

The event is simple: all you need is a whistle and a group of people wanting to network! Gatherings can be as small as five, or as large as 50. Participants are given about five minutes to Speednetwork with another person. When time is up a whistle is blown and everyone has to find someone new to talk to. Discussions can be about anything, but this is an opportunity to pose your burning entrepreneurial questions to a variety of people--from students, to community leaders, to local entrepreneurs.

The event can also take place on a virtual level, using Skype or a similar program. Hundreds of Speednetworking sessions will be held around the globe during the Week with which you can connect.

If you would like to suggest additional ideas for official activities, please email bmchaney [at] unleashingideas.org or discuss them in the Forum. 

Mentoring Madness
Sponsored by NYSE Euronext

Mentoring Madness toolkit

Mentoring Madness aims to inspire young entrepreneurs by learning from those at the top of their game. The panel will feature several high-profile entrepreneurs, including Blake Mycoskie, founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMs Shoes; Barry S. Sternlicht, Chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital; and, Stephen P. Hanson, founder and president of B.R. Guest Restaurants, a New York-based, multi-concept operator that includes fifteen restaurants in three cities.

Local university students are once again invited to attend the event and ask questions, which will be broadcast via streaming video on the Web, for young entrepreneurs around the world to watch.

Local university students are once again invited to attend the event and ask questions, which will be broadcast via streaming video on the Web, for young entrepreneurs around the world to watch.

Local Partners are encouraged to host their own mentoring events during Mentoring Madness, inviting a local panel of successful entrepreneurs and incorporating the NYSE Euronext feed into their event.

Since mentoring is one of the key messages of the Week this activity offers hosts and partners a unique experience to reach youth in their area, while at the same time exposing them to entrepreneurs who can give them the kind of useful insight that comes only from those who have already successfully walked that path.

Global Clean Tech Open
Organized by Clean Tech Open

CTO partner toolkit

The Clean Tech Open Ideas Competition seeks out the best early-stage clean technology ideas and helps turn them into successful companies. Ideas can range from revolutionary ways to generate clean energy, to better ways to filter water, to policy initiatives to encourage government support of clean tech innovation—anything that fosters a healthy natural environment.

Young people around the world are encouraged to submit their business ideas, with each country holding their own nationwide competitions. Each of those winners will then be flown to San Francisco during the Week, where they will have the opportunity to give a five minute pitch to an audience of 2,500 clean tech experts, investors, enthusiasts and press. The grand prize winner will receive start-up funds and other assistance to help start a viable business.