The History of EO
It's been more than 25 years since a group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs created a network of likeminded peers to help each other learn and grow. Follow the evolution of EO below - from its beginnings as YEO and WEO - and discover how we grew into the world's most influential community of entrepreneurs.
1980s – Early Beginnings
1987-1988 Verne Harnish and 22 former members of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs create "their own path" for continued personal and business growth; this organization eventually becomes the Young Entrepreneurs' Organization (YEO®) YEO® holds its first official event in Nassau, Bahamas, with 57 members in attendance
1988-1989
YEO® opens its first office in Washington, D.C., USA, to manage operations Andrew Sherman of Jones Day becomes YEO®'s legal counsel; incorporation papers are filed in the spring of 19881989-1990
YEO® is officially incorporated in November 1989 Birthing of Giants (now known as the Entrepreneurial Masters Program) is created as a continuing education opportunity focused on practical business management1990s – Global Growth
1990-1993 YEO® expands its reach with eight total chapters, along with joint programs with the USSR and China Continued chapter expansion, especially in Canada, presents the need for a governing body for the organization; a Global Board of Directors is formed Membership begins to expand exponentially as the "no borders" policy is developed to establish one truly international organization The first international Forum training takes place, becoming the largest such session to date
1993-1996
YEO® teams up with Ernst & Young for the first "Entrepreneur of the Year" award Several new chapters are launched outside of North America, primarily in Asia and Europe YEO® receives its first grant from the Kauffman Foundation to help foster entrepreneurship worldwide IBM becomes the first official corporate sponsor of YEO®1996-2000
YEO® celebrates its 10th anniversary, while hitting the 1,000-member milestone The World Entrepreneurs' Organization (WEO®) is created as a graduate program for YEO® members YEO®'s membership increases by more than 35% to eclipse 2,775 total members European expansion continues with the launch of six new chapters, including EO London and EO Amsterdam The "Strategic Vision Statement" is created to drive the organization to be the "premiere, peer-to-peer global community, network and resource for entrepreneurs"2000-2004
The Forum program begins to more closely resemble its current state, with Moderator-training programs and higher-level experience-sharing being offered Pilot Mentorship programs begin, reconfirming the YEO®/WEO® commitment to peer-to-peer learning EO is formally established as an umbrella organization to house YEO® and WEO® under one single brand2004-2008
WEO® chapters begin to solidify their identity with the EO brand The new brand is officially launched at the Global Leadership Conference (GLC), with EO eventually becoming the standard brand of the organization The EO Accelerator program begins, with support from Mercedes-Benz Financial EO introduces Octane, a quarterly magazine designed to educate and inspire its members through member-written stories EO begins to assume control of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) from St. Louis University