2007-05-14 18:17:36 -
BOSTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) -- the "Heisman Trophy" for the top undergraduate student business owners -- held its New England regional competition for 2007 at the Sawyer Business School of Suffolk University. Presented by Mercedes-Benz Financial, the competition was judged by local members of the Entrepreneurs' Organization's Boston chapter.
The GSEA program, which has attracted over 500 nominees from the US, Canada, China, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Sweden and Puerto Rico, provides recognition to the undergrad who is balancing the pressures of a
full college workload alongside the unique challenges of running a growing business.
The winner of the New England competition was Michael Kopko, founder of DormAid and student at Harvard University. DormAid (http://www.dormaid.com/) is a service that helps students enjoy their studies by handling the downsides of student life -- laundry, dorm cleaning, bedding, and more.
Kopko told his compelling entrepreneurial story of launching DormAid, which has received a great deal of media attention through its unique business model and challenges launching on the Harvard campus, and expanding it to dozens of campuses nationwide. "It's an amazing business," Kopko shared, "one day we'll be doing a student's laundry and the next weekend he's calling us at 3 in the morning on Sunday to clean up the messy results of a party. It's very fun."
Second place was awarded to Brendan Ciecko, who stunned the GSEA judges with his business, Ten Minute Media (http://www.tenminutemedia.com/), which produces high-end web content for music stars such as Bob Seger, Monica, and Natalie Cole, as well as managing music artists. His media-heavy presentation was excellent, and definitely showed his creative abilities.
Ciecko shared that with Ten Minute Media he was following his #1 passion, and that putting people over profits was his secret to success. He faced heavy questioning from the judges, which he skillfully handled. One judge was quick to comment "You're the next David Geffen ... amazing!"
The competition had a unique twist with live presentations to a panel of judges, all entrepreneurs themselves with businesses ranging from legal services to sports training for youth. Each participant had 20 minutes to present on their business, sales growth, their mission and obstacles overcome and then the judges asked questions to dig deeper.
Following the presentation each student was scored and the judges took the time to provide a sheet of feedback and mentorship on how the student could improve their business.
Michael and Brendan will go onto to compete at the GSEA Global Finals that take place 1-3 November 2007 in Chicago.
For more information on the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards or to nominate an undergraduate student entrepreneur -- visit http://www.gsea.org/.
ABOUT ENTREPRENEURS' ORGANIZATION
The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) -- for entrepreneurs only -- is a global community that enriches members' lives through direct peer-to-peer learning, connections to experts and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. EO is the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. EO is comprised of more than 6,400 members in 41 countries, with an average member age of 38 and average annual revenue of US $13.1 million. The organization is committed to building the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs. For more information on EO or to apply for membership, visit http://www.eonetwork.org/ or call +1.703.519.6700.
ABOUT MERCEDES-BENZ FINANCIAL
Mercedes-Benz Financial is a full-service automotive finance company that exclusively provides Mercedes-Benz dealers and their customers with attractive finance products that mirror the quality and broad scope of the Mercedes-Benz product range.
With 10,800 people in 100 offices across 39 countries, and a portfolio of more than $123 billion, Mercedes-Benz Financial is an integral part of the third largest financial services provider in the world -- DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC.
"Mercedes-Benz Financial believes that EO's initiatives will help communities around the world prosper through economic development," said Jurgen Rochert, Vice-President, Mercedes-Benz Financial. "Both Mercedes-Benz Financial and EO pride themselves on innovation, passion and a commitment to excellence. I am confident that, in working together, we will help future leaders succeed."
ABOUT SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Saint Louis University's John Cook School of Business is EO's senior strategic partner for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. The School originally founded the awards in 1988 as the Midwest Collegiate Entrepreneur Awards program. Throughout the 1990s, SLU's Center for Entrepreneurial Studies extended the program within the United States, expanding to Asia, Europe and Latin America in the last five years. The Entrepreneurs' Organization assumed the administration of the awards in January 2006. EO looks forward to building upon SLU's strong foundation as it creates the premiere global learning community for emerging entrepreneurs.
Release Contact: Jennifer Pflasterer, 202.785.8940, jpflasterer@plexusconsulting.com
Source: Entrepreneurs' Organization
