Nine student entrepreneurs compete in UCB presents 9th GSEA Bangladesh semifinal

Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards (GSEA) powered by Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO) is the world's largest annual award programme for student entrepreneurs who own and run businesses while attending college or university and compete with their peers worldwide.

This year, in collaboration with United Commercial Bank PLC (UCB), the Bangladesh chapter (EO Bangladesh) is hosting this competition nationwide and holding the semifinal round at Six Seasons Hotel on Sunday, January 5th.

Mr Amer Salim- Director Knit Asia Ltd. Chair- GSEA Bangladesh and his Co-Chair, Mr Hasnat Mosharraf- Director of Standard Group, inaugurated the program; nine student entrepreneurs joined the semifinal and presented their businesses. They were Mr Shawkat Osman Shishir from Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), who presented his business Cardicare, Mr Fahim Shahariar from Pundra University of Science and Technology (PUB) of his business Romatoo, Mr Zinan Ishmam and Mr Shadid Al Hadi from North South University presented their businesses Oitijjho Express and  Lumocity, Mr Soumik Hasan Shranto and Ms Shanen Anne Gomes from BRAC University presented their businesses Dubotech and Rindco. Leathers, Mr Al Amin Mia from Green University of Bangladesh for his business Defensive Women, Mr Muhaiminul Haque Shoaib of IU International University of Applied Science for his business Watt Motors, Mr Muhammed Mohiuddin Sourav from Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka of his business Wastech.

The judges were the Honorary Consul of Bangladesh in Argentina, Mr Leandro Gabardi, the MD and CEO of Satori Ltd., Ms Shaon Tanvir, and the MD of Panama Sonamasjid Port Link Ltd., Ms Nawshaba Khan.

Ms Faatin Haque, President of EO Bangladesh, and Mr Safat Newaz, Vice President of UCB, announced the names of two finalists: Mr Soumik Hasan Shranto and Mr Muhammed Mohiuddin Sourav, who qualified for the Grand Finale of the Bangladesh Chapter, scheduled for 19 January.

Chairman—Trade Design Solution Ltd and President EO Bangladesh congratulated the finalists and appreciated the contestants' efforts in choosing to be entrepreneurs and solving social problems. Future Bangladesh can rely on them.

Since 2016, EO Bangladesh has been organising this business contest for student entrepreneurs, where the winner competes globally to represent Bangladesh. In 2019, Naziba Naila Wafa from BRAC University, for her business Resurgence, won the Social Impact Prize at the GSEA International Finals.

The Chapter final is on 19 January 2025, and the champion will win 5 Lakh BDT in prize money. Earlier last year, EO Bangladesh arranged an awareness campaign with North South University, BRAC University, Daffodil University, ULAB University, etc.

The global prize is $50 thousand for 1^st place, $20 thousand for 2^nd place and $10 thousand for third place. The Entrepreneurs' Organisation (EO) is a global business network of more than 18,000+ business owners in more than 222 chapters and 87 countries. It was founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs. EO is a platform for business entrepreneurs where small and large business owners learn from each other and explore bonding and social networking globally. The organisation's vision is to build the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs, which aligns with its mission of supporting entrepreneurial education and engaging entrepreneurs to learn and grow.