EO's Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Names Syracuse University Student as US National Champion
ALEXANDRIA, VA - (21 November 2014) - Entrepreneurs' Organization's (EO) Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) today announced that Daniel Goldberg, COO & co-founder of Diamond MMA, is the winner of their first-ever U.S. National Competition. Goldberg, as well as the two runner-ups -- Khalid Al-Dhubaib, founder of Triple Analytics and Austin White-Pentony, co-founder and owner of Tech Bank, LLC -- will go on to compete against student entrepreneurs from across the global for a chance to win $20,000 and the title of Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015.
Goldberg, a junior from Syracuse University, founded Diamond MMA with a group of athletes and designers to provide protection to competitors in high-impact sports. After viewing "one too many" groin shot time-outs in professional mixed martial arts, the team focused its efforts to develop the best protective gear for MMA and high-impact sports.
Goldberg and 21 other regional finalists from across the country presented to local Chicago judges, including Donna Bozzo, on air contributor for the Today Show and several Chicago-based TV shows, and Jill Salzman, Chicago NBC small business blogger and famous TED Talk speaker and area judges from the Entrepreneurs' Organization. FOX 32 News Chicago anchor, Tisha Lewis, announced the finalists after their first round of judging, during a special lunch presentation yesterday at The Drake Hotel in Chicago.
The Entrepreneurs' Organization's (EO) GSEA is the premier global competition that honors the top high school, college and graduate students who have founded and are running revenue-generating businesses. EO will host the Global Finals competition in Washington D.C. from April 15-17, 2015, where the U.S. finalist and finalists from around the world will go head-to-head for a shot at the title and $20,000.
"At Diamond MMA, we don't look at our business model as anything revolutionary. We just saw a desperate need in the industry and we knew we were the best people to do something about it," said Daniel Goldberg, COO & co-founder of Diamond MMA. "While I'm excited to be named the National Champ, I'm really looking forward to Global Finals and my chance to compete against some of the top student entrepreneurs from around the world. Wish me luck!"
"This was our first U.S. National competition and we're thrilled with the turnout. It was inspiring to see the best students entrepreneurs from across the country in one room," said Jason Jacobs GSEA U.S. East Director and GSEA U.S. Nationals Chair. "Everyone who competed left a lasting impression, but Daniel really won over the judges with his passion and dedication to their mission."
