The World Summit For Entrepreneurs Outsources its Web Based Platform to New Zealand
The 10th World Summit for Young Entrepreneurs (WSYE), a convergence event held in Sao Paulo, Brazil from March 15 to 17
has now outsourced all of its web-based requirements to a joint venture composed of two New Zealand firms, Proximus Ltd.
and Silverstripe Ltd.
The WSYE is a prestigious event supported by: the World Trade University Global Secretariat, the United Nations
Development Program (SU-SSC), the Multilateral Investment Fund (IADB), The State Government of Sao Paulo, the Commercial
Association of Sao Paulo, the World Travel and Tourism Council, the International Business Leaders Forum, the Bradford
Group, Africa Travel Association, and Business Wire. The Event has attracted around 1500 highly successful young
entrepreneurs from 80 countries and is designed to educate, facilitate and initiate global trade.
In conjunction with the event, a web-based platform was required to insure continuity in the summit's main objective:
'enhance mobility of trade amongst young entrepreneurs at an international level'. The organizing body, the World Trade
University Global Secretariat (WTU), therefore decided to harvest New Zealand technologies and project management skills
to develop and manage the needed platform - the Virtual Trade Show (VTS).
Proximus Ltd., and international project management firm based in wellington, therefore undertook the continuous project
management role for the Project. Furthermore, Proximus is also responsible for the development of the platform's
business requirements and their translation into technological requirements.
Silverstripe Ltd., another wellington based firm, using their unique technology, developed the technical side of the
platform and is currently providing the Content Management System powering the VTS.
"This project is very exciting for our firm, as well as the overall new zealand ICT sector. Showcasing New Zealand
technologies to some of the world most successful entrepreneurs and prestigious organizations can only increase the
demand for New Zealand technologies and project management skills, and result in further international projects being
outsourced here." Tim Copeland, Managing Director of Silverstripe Ltd.
"The VTS is a web-based mechanism aiming, as an integral part of the WSYE, to enhance mobility of trade amongst young
entrepreneurs at an international level. Using the latest in web technology, the VTS offers young entrepreneurs a series
of multifaceted tools, giving them the opportunity to acquire and share knowledge, facilitate communications, establish
joint ventures and advertise their companies. We couldn't have done it without the help of Proximus and Silverstripe."
Sujit Chodhury, President and CEO of the WTU Global Secretariat and Secretary General of the WSYE.
"In international business development, access to strategic information always represent a significant cost to market
entry and development. By giving young entrepreneurs the possibility to access and share international trade knowledge,
we can jump start young international business ventures and help them enhance their comparative advantage."
Pierre-Etienne Vachon, Managing Director of Proximus Ltd.
In this phase of development, the VTS already offers a large amount of information to young entrepreneurs as well as
giving them the possibility to network before the beginning of the WSYE. After the summit, the platform will be open to
a wider audience of young entrepreneurs to give the opportunity to entrepreneurs who couldn't attend to benefit from the
VTS's unique tools and content.
"This project is fascinating, as on one side information is constantly uploaded on the VTS by the World Trade
University, and on the other side by the entrepreneurs themselves. Already in the pre-launched phase entrepreneurs can
upload their profiles and trade interest as well as contributing to our International Trade body of knowledge using Wiki
technology. We feel that by this collective knowledge mechanism the VTS will become an invaluable global trading tool
for its community." Pierre-Etienne Vachon, Managing Director of Proximus Ltd.
Other peripheral facets to the VTS include: the Institute for Leadership and Development an online learning mechanism, a
member's showcase, the World Trade University's post graduate programs, as well as a variety of consulting solutions
with respect to international joint venture.
The Virtual Trade Show can be viewed at http://vts.wtuglobal.org/ and more information can be obtained from
wsyevts@wtuglobal.org. You can also contact the VTS management at wsye@proximus.co.nz .
Pierre-Etienne Vachon Managing Director, Proximus Ltd. Executive Director for the South-Pacific,10th World Summit of
Young Entrepreneurs Director of International Business Development, Silverstripe Ltd.
ENDS