EO Uganda has successfully concluded Season 2 of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA), bringing together some of the country’s most promising young founders in a showcase of innovation, resilience and leadership.
The competition, an initiative of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), celebrates student entrepreneurs who are building impactful businesses while pursuing their academic journeys. Over the past week, finalists competed at the national level, demonstrating not only commercial viability but also strength of character and long-term vision.
Billy Garvin Ssemyalo, founder of Biocycle Energy, emerged as the overall winner. Asasiabo Florence, founder of Florence Fragrances, was named first runner-up, while Henry Mutumba, founder of Viridi Growth Limited, secured second runner-up position.
Organisers said the finalists exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship by combining innovation with purpose-driven leadership.
GSEA, one of EO’s flagship global initiatives, connects student entrepreneurs to a worldwide network of more than 21,000 leading business owners. The Uganda chapter continues to champion founders who embody EO’s core values of thinking big, trust and respect, thirst for learning and growing together.
The competition’s judging framework reflects that philosophy, with 70 percent of the assessment focused on the entrepreneur as a person their mindset, leadership, resilience and character and 30 percent on the business itself. Organisers say the structure reinforces a fundamental belief that businesses grow only as much as the people behind them.
Beyond the national stage, GSEA offers global exposure through platforms such as the YouTube series Start It Up, positioning young founders within a broader international entrepreneurial ecosystem.
This season builds on the milestone achievement of Ochom Joel Felix, founder of Phytogold Uganda Limited, who made history last year as Uganda’s first GSEA finalist to reach the quarterfinals in Pakistan and later represented the country at the Global Finals in Cape Town, finishing among the top 19 globally.
Under the leadership of EO Uganda President Nirav Hathi and GSEA Chair Arshad Bholim, the national phase of Season 2 has now concluded. Uganda will be represented at the next stage of the competition in Saudi Arabia by Billy Garvin Ssemyalo.
EO Uganda also extended appreciation to its sponsors and partners, including Crowe Uganda, Hisense Uganda, Fairway Hotel and Voyager Global Solutions, for supporting youth entrepreneurship and helping shape the next generation of business leaders.
