"Dorm room entrepreneurs" from 22 countries have gathered at the Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City to compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA). The competition, produced by the Entrepreneurs' Organization (a global partner of GEW), features high school, undergraduate and graduate students running a business while still in school, all competing for $150,000 in cash and donated services.
Besting more than 1500 competitors, the 33 finalists each run businesses ranging from $20,000 to $3M across a wide swath of industries including technology, social media, tourism, real estate, fashion, engineering, health, finance and many more.
The competition and other EO learning events from around the globe will be streamed live at EO24.
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards 2010 Finalists are (Name, Country, Company, School/University):
- Hong Ting Wong, Singapore, 2359 Media, National University of Singapore
- Matti Niebelschütz, Germany, MyParfuem GmbH, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
- Hassan Hamdan, Saudi Arabia, Optimal Technology Solutions, Modern Science and Arts University
- Vineet Kumar, India, Security Brigade, Sikkim Manipal University,Gangtok
- Ludwick Marishane, South Africa, Headboy Industries Inc, University of Cape Town
- Armando Ortiz, Mexico, CEAMC, Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Daniel Gomez, Mexico, Solben, Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Linda Vydra, Australia, Lydra, RMIT University
- Ananda Piyankara, Sri Lanka, Rich Rubber Company, American College of Higher Education Sri Lanka
- Olusola Amusan, Nigeria, Olusola Amusan Training Organisation, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State
- Peter Solej, Slovakia, MIROIR, University of Matej Bel
- Jason Oakley, Canada, Recess Media, Inc., Memorial University of New Foundland
- Daniel Taylor, United Kingdom, Yoonee.com, University of Birmingham
- Rakkeun Kim, South Korea, Creapple, Yonsei University
- Paul Curran, Puerto Rico, Bajo Cero, University of Puerto Rico at Aguadilla
- Tiina Jaatinen, Finland, Hooked Design, Turku School of Economics
- Andy McDonald, New Zealand, Wetkiwi, Auckland University of Technology
- Cade Zvavanjanja, Zimbabwe, Gainful Information Security, University of Zimbabwe
- Haitham Kaddoura, United Arab Emirates, Unique Technologies FZC, The British University in Dubai
- Cecil Nutakor, Ghana, Equinox Intercom Limited, GIMPA - Greenhill College
- Chu Zhu, Sweden, StudentCompetitions.com, Royal Institute of Technology
- Catherine Cook, USA, myYearbook.com, Georgetown University
- Connor Hood, USA, Elite CSS, Babson College
- Juliette Brindak, USA, Miss O and Friends, Washington University in St. Louis
- Joe Davy, USA, EvoApp, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Dinesh Wadhwani, USA, ThinkLite, Babson College
- Alex Goldstein, USA, Badger Trips LLC, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Brian MacMillin, USA, Outdoor Equipment Supplier, University of Rochester
- Cole Stunkard, USA, Delta Real Estate Portfolio, University of Nebraska-Omaha
- Zach Ferres, USA, Bounce Fire, Ohio Northern University
- Brent Skoda, USA, CollegeFittness.com, Texas Christian University
- Brayden Olson, USA, Novel, Inc., Seattle University
The GSEA also introduced a roster of influential judges, selected based on their expertise and dedication to the cause of inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. During the Global Finals, students will present their businesses to more than 20 judges in four categories including: The Entrepreneur, Business Fundamentals, Lessons Learned, and Growth and Future Plans.
"Each year the GSEA program grows by leaps and bounds. As more students pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, the established entrepreneurs who come to support them through GSEA become re-inspired in their own ventures by the sheer energy and passion of these students," said Kevin Langley, chairman elect, Entrepreneurs' Organization. "GSEA is a catalyst for the 'continuum of entrepreneurship', which will propel innovation, job creation and economic growth on a global scale."