EO University 2010 Conference

This event will be tying in with Entrepreneurship Week, as 320 of the worlds top entrepreneurs will be descending on Cape Town, for 4 days of learning, fun and a chance to give something back to the city of Cape Town.

Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) - for entrepreneurs only - is a dynamic, global network of more than 7,500 business owners in 38 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst which enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Membership in one of EO’s 118 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 40 years old with annual revenues of US$18.4 million.

Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO), the global network of more than 7 500 business owners from around the world, is fully subscribed for its four-day university in Cape Town.

The conference, EO Cape Town University, (http://www.eocapetown2010.co.za/eouniversity/content/en/eouniversity/home ) will be hosted at the BMW Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront from 10 - 14 November 2010, as a closed event for EO members only, and will attract 320 high caliber business delegates from 38 countries.

Allon Raiz, co-founder and member of the South African chapter of EO, says that the demand for the event has been unprecedented, with availability selling out within two weeks. “Hosting an EO university is a tremendous windfall for Cape Town. The investment potential that 320 high caliber, dynamic and successful business people carries from a business, property and tourism spend perspective, in both the short- and long-term, is considerable,” said Raiz.

The by-line of EO Cape Town University will be Black & White and the Intoxicating Space In Between, showing awareness of South Africa’s past, the vast economic polarisation that exists in its present, and the enormous potential for its future.

In an effort to ensure that EO Cape Town University serves as a catalyst to invigorate local entrepreneurs, a “Pitch and Polish” competition has been run prior to the event, targeting entrepreneurs from a range of disadvantaged communities around South Africa. More than 50 competitors have pitched their business ideas to an audience of around 1000 people during a series of one-day events. Through audience participation, they were coached as to how to improve message delivery, before re-pitching in front of a judging panel.

The top three finalists will be invited to attend EO Cape Town University, and the overall winner will be sponsored to fly overseas for a seven day visit to a member host in his or her relevant industry.

“The Pitch & Polish initiative is a world first within EO, and will provide a tremendous opportunity to a number of undiscovered entrepreneurs to present and better articulate their creative business ideas,” said Raiz.

“Entrepreneurs and small businesses collectively are the largest provider of employment in South Africa.  It is crucial that as many organisations as possible work together to create enterprise that will build our country.  Currently the Entrepreneurs Organisation, South African chapter is running a developmental competition called Pitch and Polish to find and assist grassroots entrepreneurs to grow their businesses.  The Pitch and Polish finals will be held during the EO Cape Town University which will run from the 10^th to the 14^th of November.  The University will bring 300 international entrepreneurs to South Africa to network with South African entrepreneurs and share knowledge”. (Dave Smollan)

“Entrepreneurship is not the solution to all the problems that countries experience, but it is the solution to most. Successful entrepreneurship is a major contributor to the alleviation of poverty and creation of employment opportunities”. (Orrin Kloppers)