NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Nov 16, 2011) - The 2011 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), the premier international competition for students taking a full course load while running a revenue-generating business, today announced the top 20 colleges and universities with the most student nominations to the competition. More than 1600 student business owners from 42 countries were nominated for the 2011 competition, a program of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO). From November 17 - 19, the top 30 student finalists will convene at the New York Stock Exchange to vie for the title of Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year and win over $150,000 in cash and in-kind business services and a one-year mentorship with Redbox Founder, Mike DeLazzer.
"Thanks to the tremendous efforts by the global EO community, participating schools and GSEA supporters, we continue to grow the GSEA program year over year," said Kevin Langley, Global Chairman of the Entrepreneurs' Organization. "Our message that youth entrepreneurship can radically improve economies and create jobs is spreading and most apparent in the growing number of youth entrepreneurs around the world. This diverse list of international colleges and universities represent an elite group of entrepreneur-friendly institutions where student businesses thrive."
This year, Syracuse University was the top school with more than 27 nominated students, up from fourth place last year. The next ranking school was Babson College with 21 nominations, one spot higher since 2010. Rounding out the top three is last year's 10th place, the University of Southern California, with 20 nominations. There are six countries represented among the top 20 universities, United States (12 schools), India (2), Puerto Rico (2), South Africa (2), Zimbabwe and Nigeria.
Part of a growing global revolution, student entrepreneurs are forging their own paths and creating a chain reaction of job growth and economic stability in their local communities. This year, the 1600 student nominations were whittled down to 700 applications, with just the top 108 students competing in the 18 regional global semi-finals. For more information about this exciting competition, visit http://www.gsea.org.
About The 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, Ernst & Young and the Be Great Organization. To nominate a student entrepreneur or to get involved, go to http://www.gsea.org.
About EO
The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a dynamic global network of more than 8,000 business owners in 40 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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