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As student entrepreneurship continues to gain momentum across global innovation ecosystems, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) is reinforcing its role in supporting the next generation of founders by opening applications in the UAE, offering ambitious student entrepreneurs a pathway to international exposure, mentorship and access to a powerful global entrepreneurial network. Leonard Rego, GSEA Chair at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Dubai Chapter, highlighted the programme’s focus on empowering founders who successfully balance academic commitments with building and operating their own ventures, positioning the competition as a launchpad for high-potential entrepreneurs seeking global recognition and long-term growth opportunities.
Leonard Rego, GSEA Chair at the Entrepreneurs’ Organization, Dubai Chapter, said that the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), organised by the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), continues to position itself as the world’s leading competition for college and university students who own and run a business while pursuing their studies, providing a launchpad for high-potential founders through international exposure, mentorship and access to a powerful global network.
Rego noted that founded in 1998, the programme now spans 39 countries, bringing together student entrepreneurs who combine academic commitments with building and operating their own ventures. He explained that the competition focuses on empowering founders at an early stage of their entrepreneurial journey while connecting them to experienced business leaders worldwide.
He added that GSEA is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are actively enrolled in a college or university and operating a business, stressing that full-time enrollment is not required, as part-time students are also eligible to apply. Participants must be the founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a business that has been running for at least six consecutive months and has generated a minimum of US $500 in revenue or secured at least US $1,000 in investment. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with final eligibility decisions made at the discretion of the GSEA Management Team to ensure candidates meet both the requirements and the spirit of the competition.
Rego confirmed that the UAE application deadline has been set for 28 February 2026, followed by the UAE competition scheduled for 28 March 2026. Regional quarter finals will take place in Saudi Arabia on 7 May 2026, while the Global Finals are planned for July 2026. Applications can be submitted through www.gsea.org/apply by selecting Dubai, UAE, while additional information is available via email at gsea@eodubai.com.
He pointed out that unlike many startup competitions that prioritise revenue or scale, GSEA places greater emphasis on the entrepreneur rather than solely on the business. The programme evaluates resilience, leadership and the ability to balance academics with building a company. Participants also receive direct feedback from seasoned entrepreneurs, helping them refine their strategy, storytelling and growth plans.
He further explained that global finalists compete for a share of a US $100,000 prize; however, the real value lies in international visibility and long-term connections. Participants benefit from media exposure, mentorship and access to EO’s international entrepreneurial ecosystem, factors that can accelerate business growth well beyond the competition itself.
Rego added that for ambitious students in the UAE, the awards arrive at a time when the country’s growing startup ecosystem continues to create strong momentum for student-led ventures. GSEA offers a structured pathway to promote innovative ideas globally, providing credibility, international networks and the opportunity to move from classroom ambition to boardroom impact.