Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) for Innovative Undergraduates 2017. USD400,000

Brief description: The Entrepreneurs’ Organization’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is the premier global competition for student entrepreneurs who actively run a business. EO GSEA is an exclusive opportunity for student entrepreneurs to make connections, find resources, and grow their businesses!

Offered annually? Yes

Eligible Countries: All

To be taken at (country): Frankfurt, Germany

About the Award: If you are crazy enough to run a business between classes, this is the competition for you. The competition is for undergraduate students (pursuing a bachelor’s degree).

Type: Entrepreneurship

Eligibility: 

1. The student must be an undergraduate (bachelors) student at a recognized university or college for the current academic year and enrolled in school at the time of application.
2. The student must be the owner, founder or controlling shareholder of their company and principally responsible for its operation.
3. The business must be structured ‘for-profit’ and have generated US $500 or received US $1000 in investments at the time of application.
4. The student’s company must have been in business for at least the past six consecutive months.
5. The student must not have been the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards winner in the past and/or were not one of the top six finalists from the previous year’s GSEA Finals Competition.

Selection Criteria: Students are scored by a panel of judges and receive numeric scores on the following criteria:

Part 1: Evaluate the Entrepreneur

Does the student demonstrate the tenacious spirit needed to succeed as an entrepreneur? Has he/she encountered challenges, overcome them, and learned from mistakes?

Does the student demonstrate the tenacious spirit needed to succeed as an entrepreneur? Has he/she encountered challenges, overcome them, and learned from mistakes?

Is the student effectively integrating the two roles of life – as a student AND a business owner?

EO Core Value #1 – Boldly Go – Is the student taking smart risks and evolving to meet changing circumstances?

EO Core Value #2 – Thirst for Learning – Is the student seeking out expert advice and wisdom, and proactively growing their own knowledge? Are they naturally curious?EO Core Value #3 – Make a Mark – Is the student innovating, planning for the future and distinguishing him/herself from the field? Is he/she taking a long view rather than just quick wins?

EO Core Value #4 – Trust and Respect – Does the student hold him/herself to a high standard of integrity in all aspects life and business? Does he/she strive to do the right thing even when it’s hard?

EO Core Value #5 – Cool – Does the student have a unique personal identity that he/she brings to the business? Is he/she living their values and writing their own story?

Total Score for the Entrepreneur

Part 2: Evaluate the Business

Has the student demonstrated a knowledge of strong business fundamentals and shown that they are in practice in the business? Has he/she provided information relating to the growth, revenue and profit of the business?

Has the student effectively communicated the business and its vision?

Does the business show strong potential for future growth?

Number of Awardees: 3 finalists

Value of Awards: 

• Access to successful entrepreneurs. Feedback. Mentorship.
• Students will represent their business and country on a worldwide stage in Frankfurt, Germany
• Refined elevator pitches. Going head to head with other business owners and answering tough questions about their business to our judges helps competitors improve their pitch skills and enhance their ability to communicate the value proposition of their business.
• Expanded networks. Competitors will meet other student entrepreneurs from around the world, as well as Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) members and our honored guests.
• Media Exposure. Competitors will receive local and national media attention for themselves and their business.
• The Global Finals competition awards US$400,000 in valuable business products, plus a $20,000 cash prize

Duration of Awards: Awards for the most entrepreneurial student will be given on the 17th of April, 2017 in Frankfurt, Germany.

How to Apply: 

• Fill out the online application at Apply Now
• After we have received the application, we will review the application in detail.
• If selected to compete, someone from GSEA will contact you to give you further information on the location of the competition and how to prepare.

Visit Awards Webpage for details

Award Provider: The Entrepreneurs’ Organization