Suggestions
Collegiate Org
Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization
The Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization (CEO) was founded in 1983 by Gerry Hills, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, along with contributions from notable figures like John Hughes and Jean Thorne of the Coleman Foundation. The organization emerged from a meeting aimed at creating a support network for student entrepreneurs, responding to the lack of resources available for aspiring entrepreneurs in higher education at that time.12
CEO has since grown into a global network with over 250 chapters across various colleges and universities, supporting more than 16,500 emerging collegiate entrepreneurs annually.23 The organization emphasizes its mission to inform, support, and inspire college students to pursue entrepreneurial ventures through events, conferences, and networking opportunities.3
The current leadership includes Dean Mesick as the Director of CEO, who plays a significant role in organizing events such as the annual Global Conference and Pitch Competition.4
