The Kentucky Innovation Network (KIN) has announced that Kevin Smith, co-founder of Rural Up Inc., has been selected to participate in the Global Entrepreneurship Summit as a result of a nomination from the Innovation Network's Morehead State University Office.
The Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which seeks to foster economic growth globally, will be held Nov. 28-30, in Hyderabad, India.
“Kevin Smith is an Eastern Kentucky success story and we are proud to have him represent our region at the premier global summit that encourages entrepreneurship,” said Johnathan Gay, KIN director.
The Kentucky innovation network office at Morehead State University provides free business consulting services to entrepreneurs in eastern Kentucky.
"I am honored to have been nominated by the KIN and selected by the U.S. State Department to attend GES2017. This is an exciting opportunity to network with peers and hear from business leaders from around the world. I hope to continue helping grow our economy in Eastern Kentucky with the knowledge and networks that I will bring back home,” said Smith.
"I can't thank the Kentucky Innovation Network enough for the support, encouragement, and mentorship they offer entrepreneurs like me."
Rural Up's mission is to bring 21st century educational opportunities to Eastern Kentucky and it believes that the key to economic and community development begins with a strong education foundation for the young people of the Appalachia region. Rural Up operates a Code Academy that creates an exciting and engaging environment in which middle school and high school students are challenged to think about technology in very tangible and applicable ways. By giving them the information and resources needed for success in computer coding, Rural Up hopes that they will become leaders of the high tech workforce right here in Kentucky.
The eighth annual Global Entrepreneurship Summit, which connects promising entrepreneurs to business leaders, investors, and supporters from around the world, is being co-hosted by the United States and India for the first time. The GES will highlight entrepreneurship as a means to address some of the most intractable global challenges. The agenda features a range of master classes, workshops, and networking sessions designed to give promising entrepreneurs the opportunity to forge international partnerships and engage in many other initiatives aimed at helping their ventures collaborate and grow. Senior political figures and business leaders will attend.
Ivanka Trump, White House advisor, will be leading the U.S. delegation to the Summit. India Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend.
GES is an invite-only event that will feature 1,500 entrepreneurs from 140 countries. Participants will be truly global, with representation from every region of the world. Entrepreneurs will represent a diverse range of geographies, industries, business size, and scalability.
For questions about KIN's Morehead State University Office, contact Johnathan Gay at johnathan@kyinnovation.com.
