Osvaldo G. Ríos will represent Puerto Rico in the international competition
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO / ACCESSWIRE / October 25, 2024 / EO Puerto Rico, the local chapter of the global Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO), a nonprofit entrepreneurial network dedicated to the personal and professional growth of its members, hosted the local finals and award ceremony of the global EO GSEA Start It Up (Global Student Entrepreneur Awards) competition in collaboration with Grupo Guayacán. Young entrepreneur Osvaldo G. Ríos, founder and sales manager of La Wagon, a business specializing in smash burgers and tripletas in the Mayagüez area, was recognized as Puerto Rico's champion.
Over the past six months, five university students had the opportunity to receive business training, coaching, and mentorship as part of Grupo Guayacán's EnterPRize program. At the award event, the student entrepreneurs presented their businesses to a panel of judges. Ríos received a cash prize of $5,000 and a ticket to represent Puerto Rico in the global quarterfinals, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in March 2025. If he advances to the global semifinals, Osvaldo G. Ríos will be featured in "Start It Up," a reality series about entrepreneurship from the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
Left to right: Michelle Torres, president of EO Puerto Rico; Osvaldo G. Ríos, Puerto Rico winner of GSEA Start It Up; Laura Cantero, executive director of Grupo Guayacán; Pedro J. Nieves-Miranda, director of GSEA Start It Up Puerto Rico.
"EO's mission with this global competition is to inspire and support young entrepreneurs in achieving their business goals by providing guidance and mentorship from established experts," said Michelle Arce, president of the local chapter of the Entrepreneurs' Organization. "These young people are the future of our country's development, and we want to help them maximize their potential as individuals and business owners."
In addition, Gloridie Lebrón López was recognized with the 'Social Impact' award for her company Comfybum, which creates comfortable pet beds made entirely from recycled tires. Her business not only provides comfort for animals but also contributes to environmental protection by addressing the issue of excess tire waste.
"We firmly believe in the transformative power of entrepreneurship for Puerto Rico's economic development. Collaborating with EO Puerto Rico allows us to strengthen our network of partners inside and outside Puerto Rico, offering young entrepreneurs the platform and resources to scale their businesses and create a positive impact in their communities," said Laura Cantero, executive director of Grupo Guayacán.
Since 2015, the EO GSEA Start It Up competition in Puerto Rico has been held in collaboration with Grupo Guayacán. Students interested in competing at the global level must first apply to EnterPRize, the annual competition organized by Grupo Guayacán that offers mentorship and training for early-stage entrepreneurs.
EO GSEA Start It Up has seen one global champion from Puerto Rico and several finalists in recent years. The call for entries for the 2025 edition of EO GSEA Start It Up will open in February next year. Interested participants can sign up for the waiting list through the Grupo Guayacán website: https://guayacan.org/our-programs/enterprize-business-competition/.
From left to right: Giovanni Baerga, founder of Handlez; Gloridie Lebrón López, founder of Comfybum; Osvaldo G. Ríos, winner of Puerto Rico's GSEA Start It Up competition; Alondra Antongiorgi of Next Cycle Foods; and Vicente León of El Sión.
For more information about the EO GSEA Start It Up competition, visit their website at https://eopuertorico.org/programs/gsea/ or follow them on Instagram and Facebook at @eopuertorico.
ABOUT EO
EO is a global entrepreneurial network with over 18,800 leaders across 222 chapters in 86 countries. Founded in 1987 by young entrepreneurs, EO enables business owners to connect with local and international peers, learning from each other to achieve greater success in their ventures and businesses.
The Puerto Rico chapter, established in 2015, currently has 85 members. EO helps its members build partnerships with local businesses, promoting employment and socio-economic strengthening within their communities. Membership in EO is by invitation only, and candidates must be founders, owners, or majority partners of companies with annual revenues of at least $1 million.
EO operates under a peer-to-peer model, where members share their professional and personal experiences, as well as their successes and lessons learned. Additionally, members exchange strategies and ideas to contribute to the leadership of others, while emphasizing the human element and community engagement, which are fundamental values for the organization. For more information: www.eopuertorico.org
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SOURCE: Prowess, Inc.
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