For Immediate Release
Contact:
Matthew Cookson, 603-862-0904 Matt.cookson@usnh.edu
EntrepreneurshipWeek New Hampshire’s Mission Accomplished
A week of entrepreneurial events inspires hundreds of NH residents to identify their “Big Ideas” and tap into NH’s available entrepreneurial resources to help bring them to life
March 5, 2007 — Lee, NH — About 400 people across New Hampshire presented, discussed, and received advice and support for their Big Ideas during Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire, which concluded on March 1 st. High school students, college undergraduate and graduate students, and professionals, attended four entrepreneurial events, participated in eight panel discussions, and were inspired by more than 20 entrepreneurs, practitioners, and advisors.
New Hampshire Governor John Lynch, in a proclamation, declared February 25 th-March 3 rd, as Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire. “Here in New Hampshire, we celebrate and foster innovation in our economy. Entrepreneurship 
Week is a good way for our state to showcase the excellent work taking place in our communities and encourage our citizens to turn their ideas into solid business plans,” the proclamation stated.
Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire featured a week of events focusing on different aspects of instilling the entrepreneurial spirit in participants. Events took place across the state and included Higher Education Day, K-12 Entrepreneurial Education Day, Entrepreneurial Landscape Day, and Business Resource and Funding Day. Activities planned for the March 2 nd culmination event were combined into the prior day’s events due to a winter storm.
Among many activities, the events featured a traveling showcase of student-driven entrepreneurial projects from students at the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State University, Keene State College, Rivier College, and Dartmouth College. If implemented, many of the ideas displayed would have an impact on New Hampshire’s society, education, environment, and economy. These projects will soon be displayed on the University System of New Hampshire (USNH) website at www.usnh.edu/TheWeek. A video produced by Keene State Media Arts students that encapsulates Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire will be streamed on the USNH website in the coming weeks.
Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire was coordinated by a committee of representatives from USNH, BUZGate, the Small Business Administration, NH Department of Education, and the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development. Many volunteers helped make “The Week” a success, along with underwriting support from the New York Times.
“Despite a snowstorm and a tight timeframe, the first-ever Entrepreneurship Week New Hampshire was quite successful and gives us a strong platform to build on in future years,” said Matt Cookson, USNH associate vice chancellor for external relations. “The level of interest demonstrated during Entrepreneurship Week made it clear to the planning committee that we need to continue efforts around this, since it takes an ongoing effort to help instill and support entrepreneurial ideas among our future and present creative thinkers.”
EntrepreneurshipWeek USA, sponsored by the Kauffman Foundation and the New York Times among others, was a weeklong effort to celebrate the power of entrepreneurship and ignitethe nation 's consciousness around the importance of being entrepreneurial. Over 800 partners nationwide planned events to stimulate an on-going interest from individuals and organizations serving as an educational kick-start for the uninitiated, and an inspiration for young people to begin a journey to fulfill their potential as self-starters and entrepreneurs.