Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Announce Top Students Slated to Compete at 2009 Global Finals

Contact:
Jessica Fletcher
Lotus Public Relations
212-922-5885
gsea@lotus-pr.com

Elite Business Professionals to Judge GSEA Final Round During Global Entrepreneurship Week Nov. 18-20, 2009

Alexandria, VA – Nov. 12, 2009 – The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), the premier competition for undergraduate students running a business while still in school, today announced the top student entrepreneurs from around the world who are scheduled to compete at the 2009 GSEA Global Finals at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation in Kansas City, Missouri, during Global Entrepreneurship Week. The students represent 18 countries and some of today's brightest, most innovative and forward-thinking individuals, laying the foundation for economic turnaround across the globe.

The GSEA also introduced a roster of influential judges. These individuals were selected based on their individual expertise and dedication to the cause of inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs. During the Global Finals, students will present their businesses to these judges in four categories including: The Entrepreneur, Business Fundamentals, Lessons Learned, and Growth and Future Plans.

"I find returning as a judge to be invaluable. GSEA gave me the confidence, resources and network I needed to take my company to the next level," said Fraser Doherty, 2007 Global Winner, SuperJam. "Our world can truly be changed by the innovations of entrepreneurship and small business—no matter the age of those behind the big ideas."

The 2009 GSEA winner will not only be crowned the world's top student entrepreneur, but will also receive $150,000 in cash and donated services such as: mentorship, office goods, legal services, access to the Entrepreneurs' Organization's global network and more.

"This year, we've expanded to 27 countries and have seen an unprecedented amount of quality nominations," said Kevin Langley, Chairman Elect-Elect EO Global. "These finalists represent the future of entrepreneurship and job innovation and the GSEA's goal—along with the Entrepreneurs' Organization—is to provide them with the platform to execute on their already visible natural abilities."

All 2009 GSEA finalists and participating final round judges are listed below. For more information on the GSEA or to attend the Global Finals, please contact Jessica Fletcher at gsea@lotus-pr.com or visit www.gsea.org.

2009 GSEA FINALISTS

2009 FINAL ROUND JUDGES

About The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards
As the premier global competition for undergraduate students, 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 undergraduates who juggle a course load as a student and run their own businesses at the same time. 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 founding partner Mercedes Benz Financial and major foundations, including the NYSE Foundation the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Acton Foundation for Entrepreneurial Excellence and the Todd Thomas Foundation. To nominate a student entrepreneur or to get involved, go to www.gsea.org.

About the Entrepreneurs' Organization
The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) – for entrepreneurs only – is a dynamic global network of more than 7,300 business owners in 42 countries. Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. Membership in one of EO's 116 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 40 years old with annual revenues of US$17.3 million. For more information on EO, visit www.eonetwork.org or call +1.703.519.6700.

About Global Entrepreneurship Week
With the goal to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity, Global Entrepreneurship Week will encourage youth to think big, turn their ideas into reality and make their mark. From Nov. 16 - 22, 2009, millions of young people around the world will join a growing movement to generate new ideas and seek better ways of doing things. Tens of thousands of activities are being planned in dozens of countries. Global Entrepreneurship Week is founded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Make Your Mark campaign. For more information, visit www.unleashingideas.org, and follow @unleashingideas on Twitter.