Entrepreneurs' Organisation

From Entrepedia: The Entrepreneurship Wiki

The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a dynamic, global network of more than 7,000 business owners in 38 countries open to entrepreneurs only. Chapter driven and non-profit, it seeks to "build the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs"^[1] and "engage leading entrepreneurs to learn and grow." ^[1] They cite their core values as:

Boldly Go! - Bet on your own abilities
Thirst for Learning - Be a student of opportunity
Make a Mark - Leave a legacy
Trust and Respect - Build a safe haven for learning and growth
Cool - Create, seek out and celebrate once-in-a-lifetime experiences ^[1]

Founded in 1987 by a group of young entrepreneurs, EO describes itself as the catalyst that enables entrepreneurs to learn and grow from each other, leading to greater business success and an enriched personal life. ^[1]

Membership

Membership within the Entrepreneurs' Organisation requires that you be the founder, co-founder, owner or controlling shareholder of a company, and have gross annual revenues in excess of US$1 million. You must also be under the age of 50 at the time of joining. However, the benefits include access to Forum, a member-driven experience that brings together a group of eight to 12 entrepreneurs for peer-to-peer learning and support, offering members the ability to tap into a small group of fellow business owners who can offer them direction based on experience as well as knowledge. Participants take part in monthly meetings employing special protocols to support a trusting environment in which they can safely explore business and personal-growth issues.

Members also gain access to the Member Exchange, a peer-to-peer resource database that boasts the collective experience of more than 25,000 members of EO, the Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), the World Presidents' Organization (WPO), and the Chief Executives' Organization (CEO). The EO Member Exchange is designed to connect members with pressing business and personal issues with other business leaders who possess the most relevant experience to your question in a way that is both secure and confidential.

Membership will offer a number of other benefits, including a Health Network Foundation, personal mentor, and access to EO's Global Events.

Global Student Entrepreneur Awards

The Entrepreneurs' Organisation has partnered with Mercedes-Benz Financial to offer the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, the première award for undergraduate students that own and run businesses while attending a college or university. The competition centres on the nominee's presentation of their their businesses to a panel of judges, who then complete the student entrepreneur evaluations, provide feedback to the participating students, and determine the regional winner(s). The Global Finals competition in Chicago, Illinois, awards a US$10,000 cash prize, plus tens of thousands in business products and services donated by EO members, including Web services, printing, PR, consulting and more. In 2008, competitors received more than US$150,000 in total prizes