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Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) Empowering Student Entrepreneurs
Why invest your time in competitions that fail to recognize your true potential? Join the world’s premiere competition for student entrepreneurs, where you can gain insights from established entrepreneurs across the globe and compete for your share of $100,000, by proving you have the tenacious spirit of entrepreneurship.
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is the premier global competition for university and college students who own and operate a business while attending school. Since 1998, the competition has been supporting student entrepreneurs with mentorship, recognition, and connections to take their businesses to the next level of success.
Embark on a Journey Unlike Any Other
GSEA in Numbers
27
YEARS
39
Countries
90+
Cities
$100K
cash prizes
+10M
Views on youtube
Become a Better Student Entrepreneur
Juggling academics and business isn't easy. Participating in GSEA gives you advantages that include:
- Practical application of classroom learning
- Building a professional network at an early stage
- Gaining real-world business experience
- Potential financial independence
And essential skills that include:
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Leadership and team management
- Financial literacy and budgeting
- Marketing and communication
- Time management and prioritization
- Resilience and adaptability
It was a life changing experience, and it somehow showed to me what true entrepreneurship is really about in a safe space to share ideas and grow together.
Yara Yousry , 2024 GSEA participant from Egypt, founder of Bahtinet
Compete In-Person with Student Start-Ups from Across the Globe
Students compete in a series of local and national competitions held in cities and countries worldwide throughout the calendar year. The journey culminates in the GSEA Global Finals, typically held in June. The steps to get to the finals are:
1. GSEA has 100+ cities where local competitions take place.
2. Advance from your local competitions and receive a fully sponsored trip to the regional rounds, where you’ll connect with top-tier mentors, network with like-minded innovators, and pitch your story on an international stage.
3. Advance to Global Semi-Finals and Finals where you will compete against the top 20 student entrepreneurs from around the world in the Start it Up bootcamp in Cape Town, South Africa.
4. Your journey will be captured in the Start it Up series with 10M+ views on YouTube.
Check out our upcoming and past regional competitions:
I am thankful for the continued support of this network. Social entrepreneurship is crucial in our world and for every founder, and it is inspiring to be part of a community that doesn’t just aim to change the world but actively pushes this goal.
Gernot Sümmermann , EO Kenya member and GSEA chapter chair
Legal Considerations
Participants should be aware of important legal considerations regarding confidentiality and intellectual property. While we strive to protect proprietary information, public sessions of the competition are open to the public. For more details, please refer to our FAQ page.
Have Questions?
For more detailed information about eligibility, competition structure, and policies, please visit our FAQ page.