The fifth annual Enterprise Week, part of the first ever Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) November, was launched today by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Secretary of State for Business, Peter Mandelson. GEW aims to encourage people to explore their entrepreneurial talent either by starting up a new business, creating a social enterprise, or cultivating innovative business ideas within their own workplaces.

Peter Mandelson will join politicians, World Business leaders and high profile entrepreneurs from seventy-seven different countries in London to launch Global Entrepreneurship Week at the week's flagship debate, 'Can Entrepreneurs Change the World?' The week will see thousands of organisations running competitions, awards ceremonies and networking events in a record 77 countries under the single banner of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "Speaking at the first ever Enterprise Week I said 'that an idea that started with only a few people and such little financial support should become in just a small time such a big campaign involving thousands across the country is itself a tribute to the spirit of enterprise.'

"That this same idea and people should now, just four years later, have inspired and driven a global campaign involving millions of people in 77 countries is even more remarkable. Global Entrepreneurship Week is a shining example of Britain leading the world in enterprise and innovation. At this time of unprecedented global change, I congratulate everyone involved in Global Entrepreneurship Week for encouraging people and countries to work together to find new ways to succeed."

Peter Mandelson added: "The current global economic crisis has demonstrated once again the interconnectedness of the world in which we live. Enterprise and innovation are the key to the UK's future economic growth and success in today's unsettled global market. Through initiatives such as Global Entrepreneurship Week we can inspire the next wave of entrepreneurs to create a "can do" culture".

The week is a combination and expansion of two successful initiatives: the UK's Enterprise Week which was unveiled in 2004 by Gordon Brown and Entrepreneurship Week 2007 in the USA which was inspired by Enterprise Week. Enterprise Week and Global Entrepreneurship Week are coordinated by Make Your Mark the business-led, government backed national campaign to unlock the UK's enterprise potential.

The week will comprise of three themed days: Speed network the Globe Day, an event which will get established and aspiring entrepreneurs talking to each other and sharing ideas on Tuesday 18th, Women's Entrepreneurship Day on Wednesday 19th and Clean and Green Day (Social Enterprise Day in the UK) on Thursday 20th.

About Enterprise Week

Enterprise Week (which is part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, (17-23rd of November) is a national celebration of enterprise in all its forms with thousands of events and activities happening across the UK. Last year there were over 5,000 events and more than half a million people took part. Global Entrepreneurship Week was co-created by Make Your Mark and the Kauffman Foundation, the Worlds largest foundation dedicated to Entrepreneurship.

About Make Your Mark

Make Your Mark is the national campaign to create an enterprise culture in the UK. It aims to inspire people to have ideas and make them happen. The not-for-profit campaign is backed by an unprecedented coalition of businesses, charities, education bodies and government. It was founded by the four leading UK business membership organisations - the British Chambers of Commerce, the CBI, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors. Their Director Generals sit on Make Your Mark's board. The entrepreneur, Peter Jones, is currently Make Your Mark's Independent Chair. It is supported by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and is endorsed by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

For more information about Enterprise Week and Global Entrepreneurship Week and a full list of the events, visit: www.enterpriseweek.org.uk