The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is a prestigious international competition that celebrates students who own and operate businesses across the globe. Hosted by Entrepreneurs’ Organization, GSEA provides students the unique opportunity to present their businesses and challenge themselves in a ‘global arena.’ A chance to share their experiences and the lessons they have learned throughout their entrepreneurial journey with other successful, like-minded entrepreneurs. Dive deep to know more about it and what it brings for the entrepreneurial journey.
Table of Contents
- What Is GSEA?
- GSEA Objectives
- Eligibility Criteria
- Competition Structure
- 2021-22 Competition Locations
- GSEA Pakistan 2022-2023 Competition
- GSEA Global Finals
- How to Apply
What Is Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Pakistan?
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is organized by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). Initially founded in 1998 by Saint Louis University, GSEA is now a program under EO. It is an international series of competitions among students of universities and colleges who are entrepreneurs by their student business, in their possession, for at least six running months and generating a certain amount of revenue, as defined. EO GSEA empowers young and prospective entrepreneurs with venture initiation and development through learnings, connections, and encouragement. The competition will be inviting EO members as judges and mentors, who are more than 2,000, and are future leaders from over 50 countries.
GSEA Development Goals
It thus makes the key mission of EO GSEA providing students with mentorship, recognition, and connections that can significantly influence their businesses’ growth. The organization’s vision is to enable student entrepreneurs to become the world’s most potent change-makers. Their mission is to empower them with opportunities which accelerate their success, challenge the status quo, connect in a peer group, and make a significant impact in their community.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
For the GSEA competition, the students must be undergraduate, graduate, university/college students and business owners who have been operation for at least six months. Their business should have generated at least $500 or received $1,000 in investments. The program has set specific requirements for students about the nature of the business and their status as a student. Further criteria and information on eligibility criteria are accessible on the GSEA website.
Competition Structure
GSEA competitions occur across the globe, first with local and then national contests, before stepping up to the Global Finals. The 2020 Global Finals took place in Cape Town, South Africa, while the next Global Finals are slated for January 2021. Among the prizes available for the Global Finals is a total package worth $50,000 in cash, where the winner of the first prize walks home with $25,000.
Competition Locations
Competitions happen throughout the world. Students can apply for any of the available competitions happening in their country by applying through the GSEA website. If your country is not there in the list, you are able to apply and select “Other” as your competition location.
GSEA Pakistan 2022-2023 Competition
GSEA Pakistan provides an opportunity for its students to represent the country at the EO Global Leadership Conference in Cape Town, South Africa. The competition was previously conducted in 2016 in a number of cities and is being held every year using other EO Chapters in Pakistan.
Attractive prize packages in the regional competitions consist of mentorship, cash prizes, and the chance to advance to the finals on a national level. Global winners from regions as lively as Peshawar, Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore not only have access to travel accommodations but also receive a chance to be the global representative of Pakistan.
GSEA Global Finals
Students at the GSEA Global Finals are competing for huge prizes, among them a $50,000 cash prize to initially start their businesses, in addition to mentorship from EO. More than that, global media exposure is another value addition that is greatly beneficial and provides a huge boon to the business of the participant.
How to Apply
Students can apply by filling in the application form available on the GSEA website. The selected students will get a chance to present their business and entrepreneurial journey to renowned judges and, in this way, market their venture on an international stage.
