A Moi University student has been announced as the winner of the National Qualifying rounds of the Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO)’s Global Student Entrepreneurs Awards (GSEA). Towett Ngetich, who is the Co-Founder and CEO of Uthabiti Healthcare, will attend the EO Global GSEA Finals, which would be held on April 16, 2018 in Toronto, Canada.
The organisation is the world’s leading peer-to-peer network of successful business leaders and entrepreneurs. GSEA is EO’s premier awards program for students who own or operate a business while attending college or university.
This year’s qualifier competition hosted by EO Kenya and sponsored by AfricInvest and RSM, saw the participation of over 60 students from various colleges and universities. The final, was held last Saturday at the Dusit, D2 in Nairobi, where student entrepreneurs competed against peers and were judged by prominent entrepreneur judges including George Odo (MD at AfricInvest), Ashif Kassam (Executive Chairman of RSM Eastern Africa) and Kennedy Odede (Founder & CEO of SHOFCO).
Sharing his excitement about the win, Ngetich said: “If you were to ask me, the ripple effect that we will see is a better future especially for emerging economies willing to embrace entrepreneurship at such an early stage. GSEA pairs you with EO members as mentors who, overtime not only share their thoughts on your business but they build you, they bring your character out of you and set you ready for investors, pitches and presentations.”
“On the final day, you pitch against other brilliant students who inspire your every thought process regarding your venture. With all this, as students, you have a community that holds you up as you transition into a fully grown business. Many thanks to the EO for bringing student entrepreneurs together,” he added.
“EO’s Global Student Entrepreneur Awards is an incredible opportunity for students who want to connect with other entrepreneurs and take their business to the next level. Being the final Kenyan National competition for 2018, we were honoured to host it at Dust D2, Nairobi and it was extremely rewarding and stimulating. In my eyes all 3 finalists were winners but Towett took the prize home due to his drive and adaptability,” said Anupa Sanghrajka, EO Kenya’s GSEA Chair.
Jamie Pujara, EO Kenya President commented: “The Entrepreneurs Organisation (EO) is the only global network exclusively for entrepreneurs. EO helps leading entrepreneurs learn and grow through peer-to-peer learning, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and connections to experts. As the President of EO Kenya I believe that events like GSEA empower our students and help shape them to be the leading entrepreneurs in their generation. It is through their entrepreneurship that we will be able to solve the problems that plague our communities.”
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“I’m incredibly proud of our team for putting together this annual event, this is the fourth consecutive year we have held it and it was the best yet. I’ve been inspired by all three of the finalists who against all odds have following their dreams to create businesses that impact their communities,” Pujara added.
Participants in the EO GSEA competition are college or university students and entrepreneurs that are primarily responsible for a business that has been operational for at least six consecutive months. Last year over 55 students from 55 countries participated in the Global competition. Previous winners of the GSEA finals in Kenya include Taita Ngetich in 2016 and June Syowia in 2017.
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