Learn From the Next Generation of Innovative Entrepreneurs

Article by:

EO Staff

Global

Did you see the latest issue of Entrepreneur magazine? If not, pick one up today! The Entrepreneurs’ Organization made it into the magazine, along with nineteen-year-old Fraser Doherty, who won the 2007 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). Thanks to his stellar accounting skills, unreserved ambition and his grandmother's old recipes, Fraser took home the GSEA’s top prize. To read all about Fraser and his product, SuperJam, click here.

"We were lucky to have the editor of Entrepreneur magazine serve as a final-round judge at the competition, and we had other media there, too," said Dean Lindal, EO Global Vice President. "It was nice to get coverage on our student entrepreneurs, and both EO and Mercedes-Benz Financial got a quick mention as well."

Serving as a judge and/or mentor for GSEA is the perfect thing to add to your list of EO member benefits, and here’s why:

• You get the opportunity to give back and impart your knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
• You get to learn about the young and dynamic new companies that these student entrepreneurs are now launching.
• To become a master entrepreneur, you need to teach or mentor. By getting involved in GSEA, you reinforce and learn additional skills that could then be applied to your own business.
• A judge at the GSEA Global Finals has the opportunity to network with more than 50 other EO, YPO and WPO members. Judges from years past considered it a once-in-a-lifetime experience to partake in the largest gathering of student entrepreneurs, which is held in conjunction with our alliance partner, the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO).

More than 100 EO members have already volunteered their time as judges, and, in some cases, mentors to the GSEA winners and finalists.

"I really enjoy judging every year," said Matt Stewart, EO Orange County member and EO Global Chairman-Elect-Elect.

"Judging offers me more than one opportunity to work with young, up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and I get a real personal boost from the competition. Judging also offers me a chance to meet old friends while making new ones. I have made personal connections that I value and business connections that have helped me move forward with my own companies," Matt explained. "The students who come to the contest to be judged are consistently inspiring, and they garner some fantastic ideas. I am always amazed by the models they’re pursuing and the new ideas they’re working with. 

"I believe that entrepreneurship and an entrepreneur-friendly political environment can lift the standard of living and the standard of happiness around the globe," Matt said. "It is my pleasure to judge the GSEA competitions, because they bring attention to global entrepreneurship and help publicize what is possible when entrepreneurs try to do the impossible."

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If you would like to get involved in GSEA, here’s what you can do to help:

• Volunteer to judge for an upcoming GSEA competition.
• Nominate a young entrepreneur today, and forward the GSEA Web site to members of your Forum or chapter.
• Like EOer Geoff Burton—who, for the past two years, donated US$5,000 worth of printing services—you can donate your company’s services as prizes for the GSEA winners. E-mail Greg Hill, EO’s Emerging Programs Administrator, if you’re interested in contributing.