By: Aysha Al Mudahka, CEO of Qatar Business Incubation Center

Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) takes place this week from the 13-17 November –with tens of thousands of events, activities and competitions happening in more than 160 countries.

For those not familiar with GEW, it’s the world’s largest celebration of the innovators and job creators, who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare.

It’s a great time for anyone interested in starting their own business to take part in activities designed to help them take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey.

In Qatar, GEW has been launched by HE Sheikh Abdullah bin Saud Al-Thani, Chairman of the Qatar Central Bank and Chairman of the Qatar Development Bank, with a full program centered around a bazaar taking place at the Doha Exhibition and Conference Center in West Bay.

To get the most out of this packed program, there are five tips that GEW first-timers can draw on.

1 - Speak to everyone

You will meet hundreds of people over the course of the week, all with exciting stories to share. Don’t be shy: talk to other participants and get to know their interests and ideas. Networking is an incredibly important part of many entrepreneurs’ success, and you never know when you will meet a future supplier, investor or even business partner!

2 - Pick the most relevant sessions

This year’s program is full of lectures and workshops and it’s not humanly possible to take part in all of them. Study the program, and select the ones that will be of most benefit to you. Focusing on the most important factors in your business is a trait that marks the most successful entrepreneurs.

3 - Leave your ego at the door

We all want to impress people we meet for the first time, but there is a danger that we can try too hard. This can get in the way of building a rapport with people and can sometimes come across as arrogance. Check your ego at the door, confident in the knowledge that all entrepreneurs have their highs and lows. Most often it is the lows that teach us the most about business.

4 - Test your ideas

The greatest fear that entrepreneurs who present their ideas at QBIC Demo Days is that some-one will steal their idea. This happens very rarely. By discussing your idea with other GEW participants you can test your assumptions, and get free advice from people with entrepreneurial ways of thinking. Very often successful start-ups begin life with one business model, and pivot to something new to become profitable.

5 – Start your business!

If at the end of GEW you feel inspired to take a step forward and start your business, the week will have succeeded. There has never been a better time to start a business in Qatar, and at QBIC you will find a one-stop-shop that can help you with office space, mentoring, training, financing, and much more. Come and see us!

Heading to GEW in Doha? Have you visited yet? What did you think? Share your experiences and comment below!

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