Entrepreneurs’ Organization Announces Finalists competing in Macao at the 2019 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards

52 ‘studentpreneur’ finalists from across the globe will compete in Macao for a chance to win the title of Global Champion and US$25,000

Alexandria, Virginia, USA (28 March 2019) – Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), the world’s leading peer-to-peer network of successful business owners, has announced the 52 finalists of the 2019 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), competing at the Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel from 10-12 April 2019. The annual event is the premier global competition for students who own and operate a business while attending college or university and helps cultivate the future generation of entrepreneurs, bringing value to today’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Over the past year, nearly 1500 student entrepreneurs applied to participate in local, national and regional competitions. The winner from each country will be traveling to Macao in just a few weeks to compete for the winner’s title and prizes worth over US$540,000 in cash and Amazon Web Services credits to contribute to their business development. During the semi-final round of the competition, participants will be evaluated based on a presentation of their entrepreneurial ideas and projected business success. Those competing at the 2019 EO GSEA also receive mentorship from Entrepreneurs’ Organization, helping them improve their pitch skills and enhance their ability to communicate the value proposition of their business.

In the run up to the event, EO GSEA Global Chair Stephen Shortt says: “Our vision in EO is to build the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs. The studentpreneurs we meet from around the world as part of the GSEA competition, at all levels, encapsulate everything we associate with our community with a drive to improve people's lives with fresh thinking and creativity. The national finalists the world will meet this year also share our ambition to become some of the most influential change makers of the future both at home and internationally.”

On the judging panel this year is Axel Garcia, the 2018 EO GSEA Global Champion, who impressed judges with his R&D business that creates space technologies to solve global issues in agriculture and public health. Bubu Andres, EO Global Chair, is also on the judging panel and reflected: “Through the GSEA program we give the gift of EO to the next generation of entrepreneurs. The unique experience of competing in GSEA will help these young business leaders network, learn and grow, both personally and professionally, making them better entrepreneurs, leaders and members of society.”

GSEA participants are college or university students and entrepreneurs that are either the owner, founder or primary shareholder of a business that has been operational for at least six consecutive months. In addition to networking and mentorship, participants stand a chance to win US$25,000 in cash if they achieve first place, whilst 2nd and 3rd place runners up will take home US$10,000 and US$5,000 respectively. Furthermore, Amazon Web Services is an official sponsor for the 2019 EO GSEA, with the brand offering credits worth US$500,000 to competing students this year. The full list of global finalists can be viewed here and for further information about the GSEA please visit the official website: http://gsea.org/

About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards

As the premier global competition for university students, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) represents more than 1,500 prominent student entrepreneurs from over 50 countries.

Built on a mission to inspire students to start and grow entrepreneurial ventures, GSEA brings global visibility to pioneering student business owners. Since 1998, the GSEA, a program founded at the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University, has honoured outstanding students who simultaneously attend university full-time while running their own businesses. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) took on leadership of the GSEA in 2006 to offer student entrepreneurs access to a global network of mentors, resources and connections from the most influential community of entrepreneurs in the world. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s GSEA is generously supported by Thomas Franchise Solutions.