Nominations for the 2008 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards Are Now Open

Entrepreneurs' Organization searches for the nation's top undergraduate entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, March 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Entrepreneurs' Organization, the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2008 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards national competition, presented in partnership with Mercedes-Benz Financial.

The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards recognize the world's top undergraduate student entrepreneur who is juggling the demands of a full course load with running a business.

Similar to Dell Computer founder Michael Dell, a former member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization who started his company in his dorm room at school, these students have a passion for entrepreneurship -- a leading driver of economies worldwide.

2007 award winner Fraser Doherty of the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland, CEO of Eat Super Ltd., had this to say about last year's contest: "The competition was tough and the judges even tougher with their questions and critiques. You have to be quick on your feet!"

Other finalists in last year's competition included:

-- Andrew Cavitolo, Farleigh Dickinson University, Three Guys and a Girl

-- Michael Kopko, Harvard University, Dorm Aid

-- Sean Maney, University of Massachusetts, HairMax Software

In the United States, regional "virtual" competitions will take place over the next six months, allowing students to present their businesses virtually to a panel of successful entrepreneurs in a webinar-type format. Regional prizes include cash, mentorship and access to the Entrepreneurs' Organization's world-class entrepreneurship training program, Accelerator. Finalists in the regional competitions have a chance to compete for the global prize, which includes $10,000 in cash plus donated prizes and services amounting to $100,000.

Started at St. Louis University as a mid-west collegiate entrepreneur competition, the Entrepreneurs' Organization has expanded the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards program through its vast network of local chapters and has helped to develop the program globally. For more information on the awards, including a list of past winners and instructions for nominating a student, visit the GSEA website at http://www.gsea.org.

About the Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO)

The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) -- for entrepreneurs only -- is a dynamic global network of more than 6,600 business owners in 38 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 108 chapters is by invitation only; the average member is 39 years old with annual revenues of US$15.5 million. For more information on EO, visit http://www.eonetwork.org.

About Mercedes-Benz Financial

Mercedes-Benz Financial provides financing for Mercedes-Benz dealers' inventories and their retail customers. Currently, 350,000 drivers in the United States enjoy the benefits of leasing or financing their Mercedes-Benz vehicles through Mercedes-Benz Financial, which is part of DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Americas LLC. DCFSA's group of companies operates in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and South America. DCFSA is part of the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Berlin, Germany, which operates in 39 countries and has an employee base close to 11,000 and a global portfolio of approximately $147 billion. DaimlerChrysler Financial Services Group is one of the leading financial services enterprises worldwide. For more information visit http://www.MercedesBenzFinancial.com.

About St. 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, with the Cook School continuing to serve on EO's GSEA administrative and judging boards, as well as a regional sponsor of GSEA. EO looks forward to building upon SLU's strong foundation as it creates the premiere global learning community for emerging entrepreneurs.

CONTACT: Aislinn Raedy of Entrepreneur's Organization, +1-703-837-6095, araedy@eonetwork.org