The first-ever Founders Week YQG (beta) is set to take place November 8-13th virtually, where it will be bringing a lineup of entrepreneurs to talk frankly about failure as part of its signature event — Failure Night.
“For many founders and entrepreneurs admitting failure in business is still somewhat of a taboo”, said Yvonne Pilon, President/CEO at WEtech Alliance. ”Unlike THE “f-word”, we don’t believe that ‘failure’ is a dirty word. In fact, we think it’s healthy and essential to learning and growing.”
The event will bring together local founders and entrepreneurs to share their worst start-up and founder screw-ups, and the tales of how they survived and often thrived in a special virtual fireside chat broadcasted LIVE from River Bookshop and moderated by Podcast Host, Linden Crain.
Virtual attendees can grab a beer (or mocktail) and tune in from the comfort of their home or office to hear from 5-7 regional founders and entrepreneurs as they get real about their mistakes, failures and success.
The event will feature speakers including local founders and entrepreneurs Richard Peddie, Co-Owner at River Bookshop and former President/CEO at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Marla Coffin, President & CEO at MARDA Management Inc., Frank Abbruzzese, CEO/President at AlphaKOR Group, Carina Biacchi, CEO and Co-founder at Ortaliza Urban Farms, Adam Frye, and Claudius Thomas, CEO and Founder at Turaco Web International Group Inc.
“Ideas and businesses that crash and burn, partnership deals that go sour, products that must be recalled… there’s no shortage of moments where businesses can go off the rail,” said Marla Coffin, President & CEO at MARDA Management Inc. “We all make mistakes and events like Failure Night give us the chance to learn from each other and reduce the stigma around failure.”
In addition to the virtual event, members of the public and Founders Week YQG attendees are being encouraged to share their own stories of failure online.
“We want to capture as many stories as we can and are inviting members of public and event attendees to share their stories of failure with us,” said Shriaa Sheth, Manager of Programs and Events at WEtech Alliance. “Everyone who submits their story online will receive a special GIF to help amplify the message that failures are learning opportunities as well as be entered to win an incredible local prize”.
Failure stories can be shared online by visit here.
About Founders Week YQG (beta):
Founders Week YQG (beta) is a collaboration between WEtech Alliance, WindsorEssex Small Business and Entrepreneurship Centre, EPICentre and Genesis Entrepreneurship and Innovation Centre. It is a free, week-long celebration that will bring together hundreds of entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, changemakers, entrepreneurial support organizations, local leaders, and community to celebrate, educate, connect and build momentum and opportunity around our region’s startup community.
The week is open to founders, entrepreneurs, changemakers, leaders, and community members who build the business community.
Founders Week YQG is brought to you by the Province of Ontario, St. Clair College Alumni Association, The Job Shoppe, Libro Credit Union,Baker Tilly Windsor LLP,Workforce WindsorEssex, AlphaKOR Group, Venturit are among the incredible sponsors who have already come onboard to support Founders Week YQG.
To register or for more information on Founders Week YQG (beta), visit www.wetech-alliance.com/foundersweek.