Looking to meet entrepreneurs and business leaders from around the world? Want to shape policy as an ambassador for youth entrepreneurship? Become part of Canada’s delegation at the 2020 G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (G20 YEA) Summit on October 29 and 30.

Before every annual G20 Leaders’ Summit, the G20 YEA brings together hundreds of the world’s top young entrepreneurs to advance youth entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth, innovation and social change. 

As COVID-19 continues to have a massive impact on the global economy, this year’s summit will be geared toward fostering entrepreneurship as a vital part of the world’s financial recovery. 

The pandemic also means that this year’s summit is going virtual – instead of traveling to the host destination in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, delegations will participate in the summit remotely. Through an innovative virtual platform, delegates will be able to navigate the virtual conference with their own avatar, alongside 500-plus young entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial leaders from across the G20 countries. 

Here’s what awaits at this year’s G20 YEA:

Meet other entrepreneurs from around the globe

G20 YEA delegate Cassandra Pichette.

Cassandra Pichette is a three-time delegate who took part in the 2016 summit in Beijing, the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires and the 2019 edition in Fukuoka, Japan.

“Meeting many people from different fields, backgrounds and living in different parts of the world brought insights and learning that I could not have found elsewhere,” Pichette said.

“For the first time in my life, I was surrounded by entrepreneurial spirits like mine, instilling me with more energy and passion to continue to achieve my biggest goals and never give up!”

Though this year’s summit will be held remotely, the G20 YEA will still offer ample opportunities for learning and networking. This year’s summit activities will include:

• High-profile keynote speakers 
• Breakout sessions, panel discussions, focus groups and a pitch competition 
• Virtual networking opportunities through profile matching and conference navigation 

Additionally, there will be a number of Canadian-exclusive events and panels:

• Introductions to business development organizations 
• Meetings with the Trade Commissioner Service, senior government officials and international business associations and services 
• B2B meetings 
• Networking events and cultural activities 

Explore the global market

Stephanie Limage (left) was a Canadian delegate at the 2018 G20 YEA in Buenos Aires.

The G20 YEA Summit offers a critical opportunity for young entrepreneurs to advance their businesses, make international connections and explore international growth. 

Stephanie Limage, founder of Futurpreneur-supported business Limage Media Group, was a G20 YEA delegate at the 2018 summit in Buenos Aires.

Through the summit, she says, Limage Media Group “established further connections and formed new partnerships in Argentina with social enterprises and businesses that have allowed us to provide jobs as well as scholarships to emerging writers and journalists, producers, audio and visual artists.”

Limage was able to form a partnership with the Minister of Culture in Buenos Aires, gaining support for their local community outreach operations. “Through this partnership we can access resources, knowledge and the expertise of the local government and its stakeholders to ensure there is no duplication of services while Limage Media Group comes alongside pre-existing community programs,” she said.

Meanwhile, Pichette says she was able to explore international growth opportunities by coming together with other leaders in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“The summit in Japan opened windows of opportunity through visits to incubators, accelerators, research centres and organizations dedicated to business development, meetings with the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, senior officials and foreign business leaders, and B2B meetings with businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and more,” she says.

Delegates at the 2019 G20 YEA in Fukuoka, Japan.

Be heard on important global issues

The Summit offers an important opportunity for young entrepreneurs to become part of a network of champions for youth entrepreneurship, advising global leaders on issues of importance and proposing solutions to global issues.

Through the G20 YEA, delegates organize media appearances and meetings with various stakeholders. For Pichette – whose business, Be-Up, was focused on diverting plastic waste – the G20 YEA was a valuable opportunity to ensure that global leaders were listening to environmental concerns.

“The environment is a major concern in countries around the world, and the G20 provides an important opportunity to be heard by business and political leaders as well as international media,” she said.

Become part of the global COVID-19 recovery

This year’s summit is focused on entrepreneurship as a source of innovation and resilience, with leaders and delegates exploring ways that small businesses can become part of an inclusive, sustainable economic recovery post-COVID-19. 

As a delegate, you will have the opportunity to engage with stakeholders and media, and participate in government relations efforts to advance the G20 YEA’s recommendations on post-COVID recovery.

Apply now!

Ready for a unique opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs, network with business leaders from all over the globe, and shape economic policy? Apply now to be part of the Canadian G20 YEA delegation! Applications will be open until September 13, 2020.