The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards 2012 Global Finals

New York, NY - November 15, 2012 - The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), the premier global competition for students who have founded and operate businesses while attending college or university, today announces the 2012 Global Finals. More than 1600 student business owners from 30 countries around the world applied for the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s GSEA hoping to attend the Global Finals, which is hosted for the second year at the New York Stock Exchange, from November 14 – 16. The top students from around the world are coming together in New York City to vie for their chance at the title of Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year and $250,000 in cash and in-kind business services.
 
“The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s GSEA global finalists represent the top business leaders of tomorrow,” said Samer Kurdi, Global Chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. “In experiencing peer learning and the global interconnectivity of entrepreneurship even before graduating college, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards provides each finalist a leg up on their competition that will push their business to the next level for years to come. With the tremendous efforts of Entrepreneurs’ Organization members, we have received more GSEA applications than ever and continue to expand our network worldwide.”
 
This year, student finalists represent a diverse mix of countries, with nominations and applications pouring in from 30 distinct countries, from Nepal to Nigeria. In 2012, Mexico, India, Russia, Turkey and Canada represent the top five countries where student business owners submitted the most Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards applications. Mexico led the world with 288 student entrepreneurs applying for their chance at the Global Finals. India came in second with 186 applications, followed by Russian students who submitted 146, Turkish students at 135 and finally Canadian student business owners submitting 76 applications. 

The economic downturn has left job prospects for recent graduates the lowest in 60 years. Despite this, finalists of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s GSEA are defying the odds and living the American dream. Each of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s GSEA top student finalists has gone through a rigorous selection process to reach the Global Finals. They were first selected after submitting detailed written applications to participate in local competitions. If chosen they then presented in regional competitions. Those who have bested their regional competitors to make it to the Global Finals, will compete this week among the roster of top 30 international student entrepreneurs.
 
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Global Finals will take place November 14 - 16, at the New York Stock Exchange. To learn more or to enter the competition, visit www.gsea.org or follow @GSEACompetition.

About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards
As the premier global competition for undergraduate student business owners, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) inspire students to adopt entrepreneurial endeavors by bringing global visibility to student business owners who are innovative, profitable and socially responsible. Since 1998, the GSEA, a program founded at the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University, has honored outstanding students who juggle a full course load 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 GSEA is generously supported by major foundations, including the NYSE Euronext Foundation, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, and  Peter Thomas. To nominate a student entrepreneur or to get involved, go to http://www.gsea.org.
 
About the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)
The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a dynamic global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 42 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, the year 2012 marks EO’s 25th anniversary. With its transformative experiences and unparalleled peer network, EO transforms the lives of the entrepreneurs who transform the world. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Membership in one of EO’s 120 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 41 years old with annual revenues of US $17.3 million. For more information on EO, visit www.eonetwork.org or call +1.703.519.6700.

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