Zooming In, Nov. 18: Global Entrepreneurship Week

Listen to this article

In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem and partners across the state are launching a series of virtual events for business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs.

The Commerce Department and SCRA also will host the virtual finale of the first statewide student pitch competition, SC Innovates, today at 5:30 p.m. The five finalists will compete for a $10,000 cash prize and mentorships through the SCRA Launch and Learn program with investors and industry experts, according to a news release.

"This statewide student pitch competition is an opportunity to showcase the untapped talent in our state's colleges and universities. We are excited to see which business ideas emerge," SCRA Executive Director Bob Quinn said in a news release. "Our mission is fueling South Carolina's innovation economy, and we see this as an opportunity to explore the pipeline of things to come." The competition has been sponsored by 15 S.C. universities including Clemson University, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, Medical University of South Carolina, University of South Carolina Upstate, Winthrop and Wofford College.

USC Upstate will host a panel discussion on entrepreneurship links between the Upstate and Costa Rica during “Perspectives on Global Entrepreneurship in Costa Rica and Spartanburg County, S.C.” from noon- 1 p.m. Thursday. Speakers include Natalia Chacón of Páramo Plantas, Aarón Cordero of BAW Green; Stuart Rojas of Universidad Latina de Costa Rica; G. Hubbard Smalls, chair of the accounting department at the Johnson College of Business and Economics; Jeff Smith, senior instructor of management of Johnson College; Carlos Camargo, co-founder and owner of Unlocked Coffee Roasters; and A’Myah Ross, president of Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization.