On the afternoon of Nov 20th I will be part of an IGDA panel at University Of Miami’s The Launch Pad. So if you are in the area, stop by and say Hi!

During Global Entrepreneurship Week November 16 – 22, 2009, millions of people around the world will join a growing movement of innovative thinkers to promote entrepreneurial activities around the world. Administered globally by the Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., the mission of Global Entrepreneurship Week is to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity.

In 2008, The Launch Pad at the University of Miami was recognized as Global Entrepreneurship Week’s top national partner out of 1,174 colleges and universities for the quality and quantity of entrepreneurial programming on campus during the week. The Launch Pad hosted 46 events with eight of the University’s eleven schools and colleges. Over 1,000 students, alumni and members of the South Florida community attended events ranging from intimate 30-person programs on how to take an idea and create an enterprise to large 250-person workshops open to the greater community on the importance of networking.

Building upon last year’s success, The Launch Pad is pleased to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week again this year. To capitalize on the momentum of our year-long programming, The Launch Pad will host several themed days of events focused on specific initiatives – Social Entrepreneurship, Women in Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Entertainment, and Science and Technology –and introduce interactive programming to include an elevator pitch competition, and an Entrepreneurship Fair (a science fair for entrepreneurs) to showcase emerging businesses and nonprofits.

Elevator Pitch Competition: The Launch Pad continues to provide support to student and alumni enterprises in novel ways. We are excited to announce the Launch Pad Elevator Pitch contest, which will take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week. Limited to existing businesses, it will have student and alumnus categories. This five-day tournament will be held each morning of Global Entrepreneurship Week, and the finale will take place at the awards luncheon on Friday. Because the elevator pitch competition is only open to existing businesses, each round is open to the public and will provide an invaluable experience to both attendees and participants as they sharpen their pitch with guidance from the judges, culminating in an exciting final round.

Kick off Day and Entrepreneurship Fair – Science and Technology Day: Friday, November 20th

1:00-1:40 PM – Intro for Mobile Apps
Moderator: Charles Schultz, Research in Motion
Matt Heitzenroder, Appush
Cary Bakker, Calanoa Software

1:50-2:50 PM – Intro for Gaming Start-ups
Moderator Marc Mencher, IGDA
Daniel Ruke, Blink – Engaging Media
Derek Smart, 3000AD
Miguel Oubina, Nuclei3D
Oscar Hernandez, Game Recruiter

3:00 – 3:50 PM
David De Cillo, Thirty Nine and GetAppsDone.com
Alan Knitowski, Phunware

4:00 – 4:50 PM
Niero Gonzalez, Destructoid

5:00 – 5:50 PM
Nelson Gonzalez, Alienware
Frank Azor, Dell

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