University News

Seattle University graduate Brayden Olson has been awarded the region’s 2009 Global Student Entrepreneur Award (GSEA).  Olson received the award for setting up an electronic game development company, Novel Interactive, when he was a student at the Albers School of Business and Economics.

The GSEA is a highly prestigious award given to students who own and run businesses while attending college. The event is sponsored by Entrepreneurs’ Organization, a global network of more than 7,300 business owners in 42 countries.  

Olson, who will be representing the U.S. against top young entrepreneurs from around the world next month, also received the Innovation Award sponsored by Microsoft, which is awarded to a business with potential for major innovation in the digital world.

Olson founded the company Novel Interactive in 2007 while a junior at Seattle University. The company develops games for businesses which act as simulators, and provide companies with an opportunity to test strategies and leaders through simulator games, before implementing changes in the real world. Novel Interactive’s first product will be released next year.

“Brayden stood out as a smart, driven entrepreneur from the beginning of his time at SU,” said Steve Brilling, director of the SU Entrepreneurship Program. “We’re all proud to be a part of his career.”

Olson competed against fellow entrepreneurs from surrounding states, who presented their businesses to a panel of judges representing successful Northwest entrepreneurs. The top regional and national winners advance to the GSEA Global Finals in Kansas City on November 18, to compete with entrepreneurs from 19 other countries for a cash prize and over $150,000 in donated business services.

Olson graduated from the Albers School of Business and Economics in 2008 with a BA degree in Business Administration. While at SU, Olson was involved in the Entrepreneurship Club and competed in the annual SU Business Plan Competition.

Media contact: Katie Gilliam, Marketing Communications, (206) 296-6114; cell (206) 371-5281