The path to the Global Finals is a challenging one for the student entrepreneurs competing in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Here is the step-by-step process a student entrepreneur goes through, from nomination to the final awards:
- A student is nominated or nominates themselves through our online nomination system located at http://www.gsea.org/nominate/. Note: If you are from Canada, Sweden or Puerto Rico the nomination process and requirements are slightly different. Please refer to http://www.gsea.org/awards/regional-gsea-information/ for more information on these regions.
- Once we receive a nomination, the nominee is contacted with a link to the formal Global Student Entrepreneur Awards application, which they must complete in full.Please Note: A nominees’ application for the USA competition(s) will be evaluated by a panel of Entrepreneurs’ Organization members and Senior Executives based on a number of different criteria including:a) Completeness. At time of review, the student entrepreneur submitted a signed letter from accountant or financials verifying business revenues;
b) Application shows student entrepreneurs’ ability to overcome obstacles;
c) Clarity of business mission and vision;
d) Leadership;
e) Innovation;
f) Presentation. We request a non-essay format response to application questions.The panel will be reviewing the USA national applications monthly and students will be notified via email if they will be advancing to the virtual competitions.
In addition, there will be three wildcard rounds that will take place after August 1st, with a panel of Entrepreneurs’ Organization member judges and executives evaluating the applications and students will present virtually.
September 12th
September 19th
September 22nd
Click for additional details about the 2008 USA Virtual Competitions.
- Once we receive the nominee’s fully completed application, we check to ensure that the nominee qualifies for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards based on our criteria, which you can review at http://www.gsea.org/awards/who-is-eligible/.
- Depending on the nominee’s location, one of two steps will happen next:
- If the nominee is located in an area with a local competition: Global Student Entrepreneur Awards will contact the nominee with the times and dates for the regional competition. Note: Nominees that are in regional competition areas may have different deadlines for their completed application! Please refer to http://www.gsea.org/awards/regional-gsea-information/ for more information!
- If the nominee is located in an area without a regional competition: Global Student Entrepreneur Awards will contact the nominee to discuss when their application will be judged virtually by a panel of entrepreneurs. Nominees may be required to be present at a certain time/date for a teleconference with the judges, where they can ask the student clarifying questions regarding their business.
- If the nominee should advance past this stage, they are eligible to compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Global Finals which take place in Chicago, USA from 5-6 November 2008. Further details on the competition are provided as we get closer to the date.
- GSEA will provide all Finalists with a competition package including the judging criteria, timeline, information on hotel, travel, the awards reception and more. Finalists are heavily encouraged to gain the support of a mentor or peer to prepare the written work and presentation for the Global Finals.
- Finalists compete from 5-6 November at the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Global Finals, presenting on their business to a panel of distinguished entrepreneurs. Should the Finalist advance through to the Final Round of the Global Finals, they will present again to a new panel of high-level CEOs and entrepreneurs.
- Congratulations! At this point you’ve competed against your peers to obtain the bragging rights of being the Global Student Entrepreneur! Or, perhaps you’ve won the competition and the massive prize package. You’re in the spotlight!
Should you have any questions on any step of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards process - please email Global Student Entrepreneur Awards at info@gsea.org.
