Under the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, young entrepreneurs who have started a successful business while still studying in college/university, all over the globe, compete with each other. Entrepreneurship is vital because it has the power to boost quality of living and add wealth, not only for the entrepreneurs but also for related businesses. They bring innovation to the table, where new and improved products allow for the development of new markets.
About Entrepreneurs Organization (EO)
The Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) is a global, peer-to-peer network of more than 13,000+ influential business owners, with 170 chapters in 53 countries. It was founded in 1987. EO is the catalyst that enables leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow, leading to greater success in the business world and beyond.
About Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA)
GSEA or Global Student Entrepreneur Awards is a renowned global competition for young entrepreneurs who own a business and are successfully running it, while still studying at a university or college. The nominees compete against their peers from around the world for the chance to win in-kind prizes from sponsor organizations.
Global Student Entrepreneur Awards is the first global competition for students who own or operate a business while studying at a college or university. The nominees compete against their peers chosen globally, in a series of local as well as national competitions in hopes of making it to the GSEA Finals. It was founded in 1998 by Saint Louis University. GSEA is now an Entrepreneurs’ Organization program.
What Does GSEA Do?
Entrepreneurs’ Organization GSEA supports student entrepreneurs. It helps mentor them and build the connections they need to take their businesses to the next level. The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards team are actively implementing solutions that will allow student entrepreneurs to showcase their work and represent their countries with pride in a global virtual competition.
VISION: Empowering the student entrepreneurs to become the world’s most influential change-makers.
MISSION: To give student entrepreneurs the opportunity to accelerate their success, challenge the status-quo and make a significant impact in their community.
Who can apply for GSEA?
Undergraduate and graduated college/university students who own and have been operating a business for a minimum period of six months are eligible to compete.
The qualifying competitions are held in cities and countries worldwide. The 2020 Global Finals competition was held in Cape Town, South Africa.
Student Eligibility Criteria
1. Must be enrolled for the current academic year in a university/college as an undergraduate student or graduate* student at the time of application. Full-time enrollment is not required; part-time enrollment is acceptable.
2. Must be the owner, founder of one’s company and principally responsible for its operation. Each company can be represented by only one co-founder.
3. The business must have been in operation for at least six consecutive months prior to the application.
4. The business must have generated US $500 or more in investments at the time of application.
5. Must not be one of the top seven finalists from any previous year’s Global Finals Competition, GSEA.
*Graduate students are eligible to apply only if they have continually enrolled in a university, following their undergraduate degree and not left school to work on their business or/and to seek other means of employment. Exceptions can be made for students who have taken a break for an academic year before beginning their postgraduate studies.
How to apply?
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards 2020-21 is now accepting aplications. In case, you do not see your country listed as an option, you can still apply. All you have to do is select ‘Other’ as your competition selection, while making your application. The team at GSEA will get in touch with you. The local chapters of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization hosts live competitions at the local and/or national level, which serve as qualifying events for the GSEA Global Finals.
Prizes
There’s a host of lucrative prizes waiting for the winners. The EO GSEA 2020 Global Champion was competing to win a grand prize of US $25,000. First and second runner-up snagged awards worth US $10,000 AND US $5000. In addition to this, there are the Chairman’s Awards in different categories with US $1500 as prize for each.
These Chairman’s Awards are given in the following categories:
- Innovation: This is awarded to those who think outside the box, coming up with a creative idea, method or process for running a successful business.
- The Sergey Vykhodtsev Award – Lessons from the Edge: This is dedicated to those entrepreneurs who have overcome a serious personal or professional obstacle in their path.
- Social Impact – Global: This recognizes young entrepreneurs who made a global social impact.
- Social Impact – Community: This recognizes entrepreneurs who benefited their local community and contributed to the betterment of all.
- Pivot Award: This judges the entrepreneurs who creatively maneuvered their way through the Covid-19 pandemic, coming up with imaginative solutions in tough times.
- People’s Choice Award: This award is decided based on audience voting.
