Registration for the GSEA 2016/17 Award is open

The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is a global competition organised by the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO) for students who own and operate a for-profit and/or social enterprise structured business while attending university. Nominees compete against their peers from around the world in a series of local and national competitions as well as in the finals.

Last year Carlo Badini, founder of startup Cleverclip from the University of Berne, won the student European competition finals and had the opportunity to participate in the finale in Bangkok. Cleverclip provides explainer videos, infographics and fully animated presentations for companies around the world to enable them get their ideas across efficiently.

Having accomplished the last edition successfully, the team from EO Switzerland-Zurich, which organises the award on behalf of Switzerland, is inviting students to register for the 2016/2017 edition. Ten students will be invited to participate in the qualification event in Zurich on the 28. February 2017.

The competition helps students and business owners to connect with successful entrepreneurs, get feedback and profit from mentorship program. Candidates have the chance to meet other student entrepreneurs from around the world, as well as Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) members and our honoured guests. This consequently enables them to expand their networks.

This year, the GSEA Global finale will take place in Frankfurt, Germany. At the Global Finals, students compete for a prize package of US$20,000 in cash and a total value of over $40,000, which includes a travel/lodging expense paid trip to compete in GSEA Finals in Frankfurt. Second place will receive US$10,000 and third place will receive US$5,000.

Eligible to apply are undergraduate (bachelors) students at a recognized university or college for the current academic year and should be enrolled in school at the time of application. The Applicant must be the owner, founder or controlling shareholder of your company and principally responsible for its operation. Each company can be represented by only one owner/co-founder and the business must be structured 'for-profit' OR social enterprise and have generated US $500 or received US $1000 in investments at the time of application. Furthermore, the company must have been in business for at least the past six consecutive months and the applicant should not have been one of the top six finalists from any previous year's GSEA Global Finals Competition.

(RAN)