You can change the world, entrepreneurs told

Entrepreneurs hold the key to overcoming social problems, experts have claimed during an international meeting of business mentors, academics and policymakers.

Addressing the 400 delegates at the inaugural World Entrepreneurship Summit in central London, speakers called on business owners to embrace their role as the "world's change agents".

Delivering the opening address at the event, organiser and economist Dr Rebecca Harding said entrepreneurs' role in making a difference economically, socially or environmentally is clear.

"There are too many problems in the world not to use entrepreneurial enthusiasm, innovation and a different way of thinking," she said.

Among the other proponents of the argument was George Polk, founder of The Catalyst Group – an organisation which works to educate business leaders on major issues of public policy – who claimed that business owners are perfectly placed to deliver societal benefits.

"It is exactly the skills you develop as an entrepreneur that you need to address social problems," he said. "What a good entrepreneur does is spend time analysing, makes a decision and then sticks ruthlessly to it.