Global Entrepreneurship Week events planned for Nov. 16-19

Published Friday, November 13, 2026

Global Entrepreneurship Week Logo

Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU), the Southwest Minnesota Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and community partners invite the public to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week with three free events highlighting local entrepreneurs, manufacturing and small businesses.

Monday, November 16 – Future Forward LIVE! Pursue Your Passion!

5:00–7:00 p.m. | SMSU Lower Conference Center

Kick off the week with BINGO, food, prizes and a live podcast featuring local entrepreneurs. BINGO begins at 5:00 p.m., followed by the podcast at 6:00 p.m. featuring Toni and Jackson of Badass Beebout Bouquets and May Lee and Chengzhong of Hmong Rice Wine and Natural Rice Soaps, sharing their entrepreneurial journeys.

Wednesday, November 18 – State of Manufacturing Regional Rollout

9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | SMSU Lower Conference Center

Enterprise Minnesota will present findings from its 18th annual State of Manufacturing survey. President and CEO Mark O'Leary will discuss Minnesota's manufacturing outlook, followed by a panel of Southwest Minnesota industry leaders. Complimentary lunch and networking are included.

Free event; registration required: www.enterpriseminnesota.org/state-of-manufacturing/

Thursday, November 19 – Business During Hours: Lunch, Networking & Local Vendor Market

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | SMSU Lower Conference Center

Stop by for complimentary lunch, networking, and an opportunity to discover local businesses. Hosted in partnership with the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, the event welcomes community members, business leaders, students, faculty and staff.

Confirmed vendors include: Hoffman & Brobst, Borch's Sporting Goods, Walnut Grove Mercantile, Marshall Area Courier Services, Unauthorized LLC, SMSU Enactus, Boss Wash LLC, SMSU Southwest Marketing Advisory Center, Southwest Minnesota SBDC, The Stock Pallet Homestead, TurnOrder, Custom Winter Lights and Meier Stump Grinding.

Sponsors and Community Partners

Supported by the SW MN SBDC, SMSU, SMSU Center of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, SMSU North Star Mutual School of Business, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, and Enterprise Minnesota.

All events are held at SMSU, 1501 State Street, Marshall. Events are free and open to the public, and no parking permit is required in regular, non-reserved spaces. For more information, contact the Southwest Minnesota SBDC at 507-537-7386.

The worldwide event is Nov. 16-22. The first Global Entrepreneurship Week launched in 2008 across the U.S., the U.K., and over 100 countries, drawing more than 3 million participants and 25,000 activities.