JOIN USThe Expat Entrepreneurs Circle (EEC) recently celebrated its second anniversary and the highlight of the event was the announcement and giving away of the ‘Expat Entrepreneur of the Year Awards’.
The event was attended by foreign entrepreneurs, heads of consulates and multinational companies, all based in the City and across the country.
Jennifer McIntyre, consul general of the United States of America was the guest of honour and the event was also attended by deputy high commissioner of the United Kingdom Ian Felton, consul general of Israel Menahem Kanafi, consul general of France Eric Lavertu and trade commissioner of Sweden Carina Reimers.
In the speech, McIntyre highlighted the importance of strategic partnership between India and the United States in various areas of business and its positive impact on entrepreneurship.
The Expat Entrepreneur of the Year award was given away to Eric Savage who is a citizen of the United States of America. Eric moved to India in 2007 to help set up Unitus Capital (UC). Speaking after receiving the award, Eric said, “I am humbled to receive this award – from peers, many of whom are amazing entrepreneurs and much more deserving than I am.
I am somewhat uncomfortable celebrating individual entrepreneurs given that all great accomplishments take a team.” He added, “Don’t think of yourself as an expat. You need to be more Indian to succeed. Being Indian is a great thing – there so many fantastic things in India that you can embrace. It will help you to be more creative.”
The event turned out to be a get together of sorts for the expat community living in the City. The guests lost no chance to meet old friends and exchange contacts. Sharing her perspective on the evening, Ema Trinidad, trustee and founding member of the Expat Entrepreneurs Circle, said, “When you do business in India, you have to learn to adjust to India. India will not adjust to you.
I see every problem here as an opportunity for business, if you can provide the solution to it. I want to be a part or have a share in this economic growth.” Griffith David, president of the Expat Entrepreneurs Circle, stated, “I strongly believe that expatriates and repatriate Indians can add tremendous value to the growth of the country at this critical stage of its growth.
This is where the EEC hopes to contribute through enabling the success of businesses created by our members by providing the tools and frameworks for navigating the Indian business landscape.”