Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is an international movement – powered by thousands of partner organizations dedicated to making it possible for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a company. GEW is celebrated in November, with national campaigns in 180 countries – engaging millions of participants in activities.

The Dan River Region Entrepreneur Ecosystem (DRREE) is the official community organizer for GEW in Southern Virginia. DRREE will continue to collaborate with entrepreneurs, ecosystem builders, and innovators alike to celebrate and highlight the local entrepreneurial spirit, activity, and growing ecosystems.

Concept Creator
September 2019 - September 2020

UNSUNG HEROES OF ECOSYSTEM BUILDING 2020

The Unsung Heroes of Ecosystem Building is a national storytelling campaign spearheaded by Anika Horn, Jeff Bennett, and Jessica Edwards to raise the profile of entrepreneurial ecosystem builders around the country.

After receiving 70 nominations in a mere two weeks, the team got to work and interviewed 40+ entrepreneurial ecosystem builders from Puerto Rico to Tuczon, AZ. Over the course of seven months, the campaign team introduced all seven ESHIP Goals (Kauffman Foundation) along with three to five Unsung Heroes each on a monthly basis. From academics to economic development officers, entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofit leaders, corporate employees and grassroots activists, the first season shone a spotlight on Unsung Heroes that work across all levels of systemic change.

Facilitator
Oct 2016

The Queen City High School Game Jam powered by AT&T

The Queen City High School Game Jam Powered by AT&T, the region’s first high school game jam, offering a unique opportunity for underrepresented local public high school students interested in learning what it takes to make a video game and gain a new technological skill for free. This applied educational experience is designed to introduce and encourage more students to follow along a technology or STEM career path.

The event is free for the more than 40 students taking part and development resources will be available for all students that they would not normally have access to in an effort to eliminate economic barriers and promote an all-inclusive experience. 

Events like The Queen City High School Game Jam Powered by AT&T are so important for our youth because according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Labor, much of the growth in the domestic and global economy will come from STEM-related jobs – a highly lucrative and competitive field. It is estimated by 2020 there will be 2.4 million unfilled STEM jobs with more than half made up of computer and coding careers, underscoring the importance of providing the youth the tools and skills necessary to compete in this innovation economy.

Facilitator
June 2015 

WNY Innovation Student Sandbox Accelerator Program

A summer accelerator for scalable, disruptive ventures led by college and graduate students. The nine week accelerator, selected promising teams of student entrepreneurs, provided them with seed funding, stipends, and mentors as they compete for cash prizes at the end of the program. 

Student Startup represents an opportunity for Western New York’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to shine. Entrepreneurs will lead our region into the future, and Buffalo Student Sandbox offers an opportunity for all of us to work together and build our next generation of entrepreneurs.

Organizer
April 2015

Buffalo Unconference

Buffalo Unconference is an interactive event with talks, demos, and plenty-of-time for discussions between attendees. Everyone is encouraged to participate, attendees create the agenda by presenting on topics that they love. Anyone with something to contribute or the desire to learn is welcome to join.

Coordination Committee
Dec 2014

Toronto Startups see opportunities to land on Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

"Representatives from about two dozen medical and information technology startup businesses trekked over the border from Ontario on Tuesday to visit the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and explore building closer ties with the research institutions and life sciences companies there.

For the Canadian companies, it’s a chance to get a toehold in the American market and to gain access to capital and talent in the Buffalo biotech and medical research communities. Several visitors said they were interested in setting up satellite offices on or near the Medical Campus." - The Buffalo News

Organizer (NGU Advisory Council Member)
November 2016

Pitch 10 powered by Next Generation United

Pitch 10 is a social innovation event aimed at small, grassroots organizations and millenial-led nonprofits. The event will bring together 10 finalist organizations to pitch ideas for three grants valued at $2,500-$5,000.

Organizer
Oct 2014

An inspirational evening of art, music, talks, and socializing with the hopes of generating more citizen entrepreneurs while highlighting the accomplishments of Regional Entrepreneurs. 

Organizer
April 2017

Buffalo YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) Festival!

Buffalo YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) festival celebrates and supports the vital grassroots efforts, and the people that make them happen throughout the Buffalo Niagara area. 

This year’s festival is called “BUFFALO: BLOCK BY BLOCK” and it will  provide a platform for people and groups involved in grassroots, locally-driven community development to gather, exchange ideas and establish the networks that will help build a better Buffalo. It’s a chance to spread the word about your work, celebrate achievements and identify new challenges and opportunities in an atmosphere focused on listening, learning and engaging.

YIMBY aims to bring Block Clubs, Community Groups, Grass Roots Organizations, and individuals throughout Buffalo under one roof to get to know each other, to share success stories and challenges, and to learn more about hands-on, simple actions to make our city better, one block at a time. There will be plenty of opportunities for tabling, presenting, brainstorming, workshops, performances, and we are open to hearing other ideas folks may have.