Global Entrepreneurship Week “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here”

Every November, St. John’s joins cities around the world to proclaim Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), a campaign to create awareness around entrepreneurship and champion entrepreneurs worldwide. This year’s theme “Entrepreneurs Thrive Here,” highlights the idea that entrepreneurship is a path open to anyone with the ideas, talent and ambition to get started. 

Futurpreneur is dedicated to supporting young entrepreneurs and is the Canadian Host for GEW, together with thousands of like-minded partners who are organizing more than 40,000 events in 200 countries. Futurpreneur is the only national, non-profit organization that provides financing, mentoring and support tools to aspiring business owners aged 18-39. Their internationally recognized mentoring program matches young entrepreneurs with a business expert from a network of more than 2,600 volunteer mentors.

Helping entrepreneurs thrive starts with connecting them to practical support close to home. The St. John’s Business Information Centre provides free resources including our Starting a Business guides and business plan templates to help you plan and launch your business. 

Thinking of starting or growing your own business or simply curious about entrepreneurship? Explore these information sessions and workshops taking place during GEW, November 16-22, 2026.



• Nov 16 Futurpreneur Launch or Grow your own Business
• Nov 17 YMCA Entrepreneurship 101 Workshop Marketing 101 & Sales (in-person)
• Nov 18 Futurpreneur Indigenous Innovation & Knowledge Exchange
• Nov 19 Futurpreneur Leveraging an AI Lawyer: Risks & Opportunities
• Nov 19 Futurpreneur Start/Grow your own Business

Entrepreneurship is more than starting a business—it’s about building connections, exploring opportunities and finding the support to thrive

What climate risks concern you most in St. John’s?

The City is conducting a Climate Risk Assessment and wants to hear from you.

Flooding, coastal storms, extreme heat, wildfire, ice storms and heavy snow can affect our neighbourhoods, infrastructure and services. Your local knowledge and experiences can help us better understand these risks and identify where people and places may be most vulnerable.

Complete the online survey: Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment for St.John's Survey

Have your say by November 27, 2026. More opportunities to provide feedback will be available in winter 2027.

Holiday Lights at Bowring Park

The City of St. John's is set to celebrate the holiday season with a light display at Bowring Park. At Holiday Lights at Bowring Park, you can enjoy live performances, complimentary hot chocolate (while supplies last), and the official lighting of the park. The event includes an accessible viewing area and is a great way to kick off the holidays with family and friends

Date: Saturday, November 28, 2026

Time: 5 p.m.

Location: Bowring Park Duck Pond

The Community Food Sharing Association will also be onsite, collecting non-perishable food items for the food bank. In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to Saturday, December 5, 2026. For more information, visit StJohns.ca/HolidayLights.

Applications open for Canada Summer Jobs program

Canada Summer Jobs provides wage subsidies to support employers in creating quality work experiences for youth aged 15-30. Funding is available for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers, and small businesses with under 50 employees. Employers can apply to get funding to create summer job positions for young people in their area until December 3 this year. To be eligible for funding, there is a new rule this year where businesses and organizations must have been operating for at least two years, unless they had an approved funding agreement in 2026. More information on the program, including the 2027 application package, can be found on the Canada Summer Jobs website: www.canada.ca.

Bridgeto foreign credential recognition platform launch

After years of research into foreign credential recognition (FCR) and the systemic barriers faced by internationally trained professionals, Expertise Hub Co-operative developed Bridgeto to simplify complex credential recognition processes and improve access to clear, reliable information. Bridgeto is a digital navigation platform that provides internationally trained professionals with clear, structured guidance for navigating foreign credential recognition pathways. Bridgeto transforms fragmented information into clear, structured roadmaps. These roadmaps help internationally trained professionals understand each stage of the FCR process, identify the requirements that may apply to them, and navigate their pathways with greater clarity and confidence.

Small business energy savers kit from TakeCharge NL

Are you a small business owner or non-profit organization (Rate 2.1) with electrically heated hot water? Do you want to receive up to $200 worth of free energy-saving technologies that could save you up to $200, or more, on electricity every year? Visit TakeChargeNL.ca and request your FREE Small Business Energy Savers Kit today.