The Power of Start It Up to Showcase the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Experience

By Parveen Dhupar, an EO Toronto member who serves EO as Chair of the Global Marketing and Partnerships Portfolio. Dhupar is the founder of BTI Brand Innovations.

In my previous post, Why GSEA Matters To Both Student Competitors and Established Entrepreneurs, I shared why EO’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) matters to both student competitors and established entrepreneurs.

My eyes were opened to the significance of the competition when I became a judge in the 2025 GSEA Global Finals competition in association with GSEA’s web series, Start It Up, in Cape Town, South Africa.

I walked in thinking I was going to give back to some talented student entrepreneurs, but
I walked out realizing the GSEA experience gave me far more than I ever expected.

In addition to interacting with 19 student entrepreneurs who are running companies while studying at university, I saw first-hand the importance of one of the most exciting elements of the GSEA experience, EO’s global web series, Start It Up. The series captures the individual journeys, struggles, and achievements of GSEA student competitors -- and Season 4, which features the 2024-25 competition that I helped judge, debuts on 22 June 2025.

The Power of Start It Up

Start It Up is such an exciting element of the competition because it brings the entire GSEA journey to life for the world to see. Season 3 currently has over 6 million views. Now, with Season 4 set to start, we’ve completely revamped the format into a more immersive, reality-TV style experience.

What makes this season so special is the visibility into the entire process. EO member mentors work closely with the students, providing real-time coaching, support, and insights as they prepare to face the judges. Then, those same students present their businesses and themselves to a panel of EO member judges, who offer feedback, ask the tough questions, and ultimately select the winner.

It’s dynamic. It’s raw. It’s inspiring. And it’s 100% EO.

You’ll witness the emotional highs, the learning curves, the grit, and the breakthroughs that define entrepreneurship at its core, all supported by our own EO community.

Check it out on the GSEA YouTube Channel and watch for the launch of Start It Up Season 4 on 22 June. You won’t just be watching the next generation of entrepreneurs; you’ll be witnessing the impact of EO in action.

The Top 10 Traits I Saw in GSEA Finalists

As the other judges and I interacted with the 19 studentpreneurs in the final rounds of the GSEA competition, we couldn’t help but notice that many of these founders shared some impressive traits. They may be young, but their character? It’s CEO-grade.

Here’s what they showed us:

1. Resilience – They’ve failed, pivoted, and persevered.
2. Purpose-Driven Leadership – They lead with a “why,” not just a pitch deck.
3. Authenticity – Their story is the brand.
4. Curiosity – They ask better questions than many seasoned founders.
5. Grit – They hustle, they sacrifice, they endure.
6. Vulnerability – They don’t hide their struggles, they own them.
7. Clarity – They know who they’re serving and why.
8. Courage – They take big swings without a safety net.
9. Community Focus – Their impact starts local and grows outward.
10. Bold Vision – They’re not building lifestyle businesses. They’re solving problems that matter.

Why EO Members Need GSEA Now More Than Ever

EO is not a spectator sport, and it’s true that you will get out of EO what you put into it.

We’re a community built on contribution, courage, and connection. Our values don’t just live in mission statements, they come alive through action.

GSEA is one of the most direct, authentic expressions of EO’s core values:

• Trust and Respect – You form deep, instant connections with founders who are baring their souls to you.
• Thirst for Learning – You’ll be surprised how much you learn by simply listening.
• Think Big, Be Bold – These students are not playing small, and they will challenge you to raise your own bar.
• Together We Grow – You grow, they grow, we grow. That’s the EO way.

So, What’s the Ask?

Simple: Get involved. Say yes. Step in.

There are a lot of ways to begin your involvement with GSEA, depending on your availability and specific interests. You can:

• Judge at your local GSEA event
• Mentor a student entrepreneur
• Host a chapter-level competition
• Sponsor or support the program

Every hour you invest in GSEA is an hour well spent because it will come back to you 10X in clarity, perspective, and purpose.

This Is Our Responsibility and Our Reward

Let’s be honest: it’s easy to stay inside the EO bubble. Great events. Great people. Great learning.

But EO’s real power lies in how we help others rise. Our purpose is to move the world forward by unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurs. GSEA is how we start doing that at scale.

Not by writing checks.
Not by posting on LinkedIn.
But by showing up, listening, challenging, believing, and being the mirror for the next generation.

This is not just their moment. It’s ours, too.

Let’s lead the way. Let’s move the world forward. Let’s honor the EO mission, not with words, but with action.

Get Involved with GSEA

If you are ready for your next big EO moment, where you will find inspiration from the energy of student entrepreneurs in the early days of their journey to change our world, get involved with GSEA as a judge, mentor, sponsor or guest at the local, country, or global level.

If you know a student entrepreneur who is running a company while simultaneously attending university, encourage them to apply to compete in the next GSEA competition.

Let’s show up for them so they can show the world what’s possible.

And be sure to tune in to GSEA’s YouTube channel for Season 4 of Start It Up. The first episode drops on 22 June 2025!

You might also be interested in Dhupar's previous post, Why GSEA Matters To Both Student Competitors and Established Entrepreneurs on EO Blog.