NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - Nov 10, 2011) - The NYSE Euronext Foundation and the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), a program of the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), today announced a partnership targeted at growing and supporting the global community of students who run revenue-generating businesses while taking a full course load of classes. With the support of the Foundation, GSEA will continue to expand its mission to inspire and connect student entrepreneurs around the globe. In addition, this year the GSEA Global Finals will be held at the New York Stock Exchange on November 17-19th, 2011 with a host of distinguished media and entrepreneurial judges.
"At a time when youth unemployment is on the rise worldwide, the GSEA stands as a shining example of what talented students can do to not only create jobs, but to create lasting businesses that genuinely support their local and global economies," said Kevin Langley, Global Chairman of the Entrepreneurs' Organization. "We're grateful to the NYSE Euronext Foundation for helping us to grow a worldwide network of the next generation's entrepreneurial leaders.
The grant from the NYSE Euronext Foundation will go toward supporting the expansion of the GSEA competition into new global markets and increasing nominations worldwide. In a commitment to the growth of youth entrepreneurship, the Entrepreneurs' Organization is focusing on expanding a global network of student entrepreneurs, throughout Europe and Asia. The additional funding is being used to build and formalize connections between Entrepreneurs' Organization and universities as well as youth entrepreneur-focused organizations around the world that embrace GSEA's unique peer-to-peer educational and mentoring programs.
"Watching the improvements in the number, caliber and geographical diversity of students each year is incredibly fulfilling," said Michelle Greene, vice president and head of corporate responsibility at NYSE Euronext, as well as executive director of the NYSE Euronext Foundation. "Nurturing young entrepreneurs and cultivating global connections for them is critical to the foundation of a vibrant economy. The NYSE Euronext Foundation is proud to support these student entrepreneurial leaders from around the world."
The NYSE Euronext Foundation has partnered with the GSEA since 2009 and the competition and partnership has continued to grow and flourish. Since working with the Foundation, the GSEA has been able to expand to over 32 countries from over 283 universities around the world. Last year, the New York regional semi-finals were hosted at the exchange and this year the Global Finals will bring the 30 top student entrepreneurs from around the globe to the Exchange to compete for the title of Global Student Entrepreneur of the Year.
The Global Finals take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week from November 17 - 19th. The winner will receive $150,000 in cash and in kind business services in addition to a one-year mentorship with Redbox founder Mike Delazer. For more information please visit: www.gsea.org.
About The NYSE Euronext Foundation
The NYSE Euronext Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by the New York Stock Exchange in 1983. It directs its philanthropic resources to innovative and effective organizations, programs, and projects that meet community needs within its priority areas of funding: Financial Literacy Education, Developing Economic Opportunity, and Entrepreneurship. It seeks to address the needs of communities in all areas of the globe where NYSE Euronext maintains a business presence and funds both new and proven charitable endeavors that confer a broad public benefit.
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) - for entrepreneurs only - is a global community that enriches members' lives through direct peer-to-peer learning, connections to experts and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EO is comprised of more than 8,000 members in 40 countries, with an average member age of 41 and average annual revenue of US$17.3 million. The organization is committed to building the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs. For more information, go to: http://www.eonetwork.org.
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