The Startup Weekend initiative also powered by the Kauffman Foundation joins GEW again this year as a global partner. Startup Weekend offers attendees weekend-long, hands-on experiences, where entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs can find out if their startup ideas are viable. Startup Weekend’s have recently been registered in Seattle, Buffalo, Milwaukee, and Kirkland. Other US locations already registered include Atlanta, GA, Bend, OR, Binghamton, NY, Bloomington, IN, Boston, MA,Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Kansas City, MO, Lexington, KY, Los Angeles, CA, New Haven, CT, Orlando, FL, Portland, OR, South Bend, IN, St. Louis, MO, and Tampa, FL.

Those U.S. cities will compete against more than 100 others around the world in the Global Startup Battle. More exciting news from the team at Startup Weekend is that it is one of the first partners of the newly launched Google for Entrepreneurs initiative, which functions as an umbrella for several dozen programs and partnerships to support startups and entrepreneurs around the world. Stay tuned for more information.
Other GEW/USA partners with recently registered activities and events include:

• The IXOYE Global Entrepreneurship Network (IXGEN) is planning The Entrepreneurial Advantage. Taking place in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area, this event series features activities for schools and colleges, businesses and female entrepreneurs.
• Lawrence Technological University has registered the Women’s Entrepreneurship Conference in Southfield, Michigan.
• The Metropole Capital Group in Los Angeles, California is planning a Global Entrepreneurial and Crowdfunding Forum to create networking opportunities, lectures, and in-depth discussions for entrepreneurs.

More GEW/USA partners are that are still formulating plans for November are the Allison Maslan International of Encinitas, California, LHS DECA of Locust Grove, Georgia, High Point University of High Point, North Carolina, MIS Technologist Corporation of Hallandale Beach, Florida and Nakouba of Somerville, Massachusetts. Stay tuned for updates on their planned activities and events.

In other news from the Unleashing Ideas network:

• ‘Better Capitalism’, a recently released book funded by The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation states that entrepreneurial optimism and policy reforms can lift economic doom and gloom. Watch the animated sketchbook video that explains the book’s focus.
• The Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization released the bios of its 2012 National CEO Conference speakers. The nearly 80 inspiring and successful entrepreneurs will be speaking in Chicago this November 1-3.
• Anthony Carmona, Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship graduate, spoke Sunday during Mashable's Social Good Summit as part of a Microsoft panel. The owner of Anthony Knows Computers talked about the importance of creating a business you love.

tags: CEO, gew, GEW/USA, NFTE, Startup Weekend