Global Entrepreneurship Week in St. Louis Kicks Off With Fourth Annual 'Race to Entrepreneurship'

Webster University’s Old Post Office campus in downtown St. Louis to serve as race headquarters

The fourth annual Race to Entrepreneurship – an "Amazing Race"-style competition testing entrepreneurial knowledge of the St. Louis area – will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, beginning at 9 a.m. at Webster University's Old Post Office campus, 815 Olive St. Sponsored by St. Louis Region Entrepreneurship Educators, or STLREE (www.stlree.org), the free event serves as the official kickoff of Global Entrepreneurship Week in St. Louis.

Armed with clues, camera and determination, enterprising teams of two will kick off this scavenger-hunt style competition. Teams will scour the St. Louis landscape on foot or via public transportation in a race to locate checkpoints related to entrepreneurship and innovation in St. Louis. The teams use their own digital cameras and the clues provided to earn points by taking pictures at checkpoints in downtown St. Louis, the Central West End and the Metro East. They must return to race headquarters at Webster’s Old Post Office campus by 2 p.m. The first-place team wins two iPads. Pre-registration is required and may be completed online at www.stlree.org.

"The Race to Entrepreneurship is a great way to let would-be entrepreneurs in the St. Louis area know that there are resources available at our local universities to help them start their own businesses," said Dr. Barrett J. Baebler, director of the Certificate in Entrepreneurship program at Webster University and chair of St. Louis Region Entrepreneurship Educators. "STLREE is unique across the country because it involves 10 higher education institutions all working together to lead the continued development of entrepreneurial growth for business, education and individuals within the St. Louis region."

STLREE members promote education, provide mentoring and deliver resources that encourage entrepreneurial development through co-marketing of programs, resource sharing, delivery and development of entrepreneurship curricula and outreach activities. Members include Harris Stowe State University, Lindenwood University, Missouri Baptist University, Saint Louis University, St. Louis Community College, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Southwestern Illinois College, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Washington University and Webster University.

Following the Race to Entrepreneurship, other activities planned for Global Entrepreneurship Week in St. Louis include:

Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"Predicting Future Cash Needs"

UMSL's J.C. Penney Conference Center

Wednesday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

"Sharing a Passion for Crazy Ideas: Secrets to Unleash Your Creative Potential and Grow Your Business," an interactive talk by entrepreneur Bob Fishbone

Webster University, Sunnen Lounge in the University Center, 175 Edgar Rd.

Thursday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m.

Olin Cup Elevator Pitch Competition

Washington University, Simon Hall

Friday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

"Building Stronger Customer Relationships"

UMSL's J.C. Penney Conference Center

Friday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Skandalaris Seminar Series: Developing Entrepreneurial Skills, Perspectives and Relationships – "The Business Plan and Telling Your Story"

Washington University, Simon Hall

Sponsors of the Race to Entrepreneurship include Bastian Robotics, Connect With, Eleven Magazine, goBrandgo!, Hermann Oak Leather, Innovate St. Louis, Metro, Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers, Lone Wolf Coffee Company, Downtown Community Improvement District, Recarded, St. Louis Community College, Small Business Week, StlStyle, University of Missouri-St. Louis and Yurbuds.

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