New York Entrepreneur Week Launches the Most Encompassing Entrepreneurial Movement in New York State History

NEW YORK, NY, Oct 08 (MARKET WIRE) --
Today marks the official launch of New York Entrepreneur Week
(www.nyew.org), the first and largest statewide movement unifying the
most important entrepreneurial groups with the vastly diverse
entrepreneurial community. Taking place from November 16-20, 2009, NYEW
will feature 350 all-encompassing events including; keynote speeches from
recognized business leaders, expert panels offering relevant
mission-critical advice, third party events and the movement's flagship
RELENTLESS business plan competition.

Unlike diluted start-up or small business events, NYEW is New York
State's premier forum joining together founders, angel investors, venture
capital firms and top connectors from around the world and across diverse
industries. NYEW brings together groups ranging from enterprising young
idea-stage innovators to hundred million dollar revenue generators. The
NYEW movement provides the framework and catalyst for conquering New
York's economic challenges by aggregating disparate entrepreneurial
stakeholders from around the state with remarkable entrepreneurs from
around the world.

NEWS FACTS:

-- Featured, confirmed speakers include:

- David S. Rose, Founder of Rose Tech Ventures, Chairman & CEO of
Angelsoft

- Marc Ecko, Chairman & CEO of Marc Ecko Enterprises

- Steve Mariotti, Founder of the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship
(NFTE)

- Alexandra Wilkis Wilson, Co-Founder & CMO of Gilt Groupe

- Barry Silbert, Co-Founder & CEO of SecondMarket

- Scott Heiferman, Co-Founder & CEO of Meetup.com

-- NYEW is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded by 26-year-old serial
entrepreneur Gary Whitehill. Inspired by the TED conference and
Renaissance Weekend, Whitehill is empowering entrepreneurs from around
the world to "Stand Up and Come Together" at the worldwide hub of
business, commerce and innovation.

-- NYEW is the largest aggregator of entrepreneurial events in the world
during Global Entrepreneurship Week, slated to have over 350 events
throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Syracuse, Rochester,
and Binghamton.

-- NYEW is the only event in New York State to unite entrepreneurs with
real, local, regional and international funding sources. These groups
include: angel investors, venture capital firms, banks as well as
non-profit and public sector agencies.

-- An astounding 89% of all venture capital funding from NY-based venture
capital firms, distributed during the first half of 2009, went to
companies outside of the state.

-- According to the Small Business Administration, New York State is home
to 1.8 million small business owners who bring in roughly $77 billion in
revenue and 3.8 million jobs to the state each year.

-- In New York City, there are 220,000 small businesses. This year is
critical for entrepreneurs, as the local unemployment rate has reached
10.3% and continues to climb. Furthermore, it is possible that 50% of new
businesses will fail without the appropriate support.

-- NYEW is expanding into five states within five years. This year, NYEW
brings together top speakers from 50 cities, 18 states and three
continents. Special guest speaker from Mexico will be Luis Antonio
Marquez, board of directors, Mexican Venture Capital and Private Equity
Association (AMEXCAP).

To become an active part of this year's NYEW events during Global
Entrepreneurship Week, visit

http://nyew.org/index.php/events/partner-events/partner-event-suggestions/

http://nyew.org/index.php/events/partner-events/partner-events-sign-up/

QUOTE:

"NYEW was founded because I saw the interconnectivity of New York's
entrepreneurial ecosystem and the many dynamics facilitating its collapse.
In the first half of 2009, an astonishing 89% of venture capital funding
left the state and went to other funding hubs such as Silicon Valley,"
said Gary Whitehill, serial entrepreneur and founder of NYEW. "I knew
there must be a way to construct a healthy ecosystem throughout the state
and solidify the entrepreneurial community as a collective whole. So at
the age of 25, I left the consulting firm I co-founded and set out on a
quest as a social entrepreneur. I did so because I firmly believe NYEW is
the way to bring New York's entrepreneurial ecosystem to a level where
less then 50% of the venture capital funding is leaving the state."

About New York Entrepreneur Week:

NYEW is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded by 26-year old serial
entrepreneur Gary Whitehill. NYEW is the first of its kind in New York
State, and is also the largest aggregator of entrepreneurial events in the
world during Global Entrepreneurship Week. NYEW provides a framework and
the catalyst for conquering New York's economic challenges by aggregating
the most important disparate entrepreneurial stakeholders so that
founders, angel investors, venture capital firms and New York's top
connectors can learn, grow, network and leverage opportunities to do what
they do best: drive economic change in exponential ways. Taking place
throughout the week are over 350 events across the state from November
16-20th, 2009. NYEW consists of five days of innovative and
hyper-targeted events, including: inspiring keynote speeches from
recognized business leaders, riveting panels delivering relevant
mission-critical advice, third part events and its flagship RELENTLESS
business plan competition. The week will unite the state's diverse
entrepreneurial community and provide an educational experience for all
entrepreneurs -- from enterprising young idea-stage innovators to hundred
million dollar revenue generators. For more information, visit
www.nyew.org.

Links:

http://nyew.org/index.php/about/nyew-videosEmbedded Video Available:
http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=545798

Media Contact:
Jessica Fletcher
Lotus Public Relations
Email Contact
212-922-5885

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