Breaking Records to Break Barriers: Tom-Chris Emewulu's GWR Attempt at GSEW25 to Transform Lives

Tom-Chris Emewulu, celebrated edtech entrepreneur and SFAN founder, aims to transform 100 young lives through a historic Guinness World Record attempt at Global Student Entrepreneurship Week 2025.

What if breaking a world record could break the cycle of youth unemployment? That's exactly what Tom-Chris intends to prove.

From October 28 to November 1, the acclaimed social entrepreneur and marketing strategist will attempt the Guinness World Record for the Longest Interviewing Marathon: 100+ hours of continuous conversations with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and innovators.

But this initiative goes far beyond personal achievement. Each interview is dedicated to raising funds for scholarships that will empower 100 young Africans with life-changing opportunities.

Since launching in Ghana in 2018, Global Student Entrepreneurship Week (GSEW) has become an explosive, growth-focused startup event where budding entrepreneurs learn from investors and mentors from Africa, the U.S, the U.K., and beyond.

This year's edition, GSEW25, combines record-breaking ambition with life-changing impact. Whether you're building the next big startup, finding your first job, mentoring the next generation, or investing in Africa's future, here are 10 reasons why GSEW25 deserves your attention.

10 Reasons Why GSEW25 Deserves Your Attention

1. Position Yourself as a Thought Leader (Apply as a Speaker)

Anyone with a tangible message can apply to be interviewed during the marathon. And YOU choose your topic. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, corporate executive, creative professional, or even a student with a unique perspective, your expertise matters.

Tom-Chris will ask you at least 5 questions about your chosen subject, and your interview will be recorded and shared across GSEW25’s network of excited viewers. Past speakers have landed consulting gigs, speaking engagements, podcast features, and new business partnerships simply from their GSEW participation. This is your platform to showcase your expertise to a global audience. And you don't even need to be in Ghana to participate.

2. Create a Legacy That Lives On (Fund a Scholarship)

When you donate to the ReadyforWork tuition scholarship fund, you're not making a vague contribution. You're funding specific, life-changing opportunities. Each scholarship equips a young African (aged 16-35) with in-demand digital skills and pipeline to decent work.

ReadyforWork isn’t a certificate program that gather dust. It’s a career accelerator. Your name will be listed in the post-event recap as someone who changed a life. Years from now, a developer building Africa's next unicorn or a designer creating award-winning campaigns might trace their breakthrough back to the scholarship you funded. That's tangible impact with your name on it.

3. Multiply Your Impact Effortlessly (Share on Social Media)

Think sharing doesn't matter? Think again. When you post about GSEW25 using #GSEW25 #TomChrisBreaksGWR2, you become a bridge. Your post might reach the entrepreneur who needs to hear a specific interview. Your share might connect a potential donor to the scholarship fund.

Your story might inspire someone in your network to apply as a speaker. GSEW21 hosted 6,000+ participants largely because of organic sharing. Past editions reached 15+ million people across 20+ countries, not through expensive ads, but through people like you amplifying the message. Every share is a potential life changed. Make it count.

4. Watch Human Endurance Meet Purpose (Witness the Record Live)

This isn't a Netflix documentary you watch years later. This is history unfolding in real-time. Over 100+ hours from October 28 to November 1, you'll witness Tom-Chris push the limits of human endurance while conducting meaningful conversations that raise scholarship funds.

Attend in person at King Solomon's Height, 26 Mango Street, Accra, or join the livestream from anywhere in the world at sfanonline.org/events/gsew. You could also be part of the official witness list for a Guinness World Record attempt. Decades from now, you'll tell your children and grandchildren: "I was there when it happened." How many moments like this do you get in a lifetime?

5. Learn From Real Success Stories, Not Theory

Global Student Entrepreneurship Week has a proven track record of launching careers and businesses. A young Burkinabe entrepreneur raised over $100,000 after participating in a previous edition. A South African entrepreneur won Student Entrepreneur of the Year. These aren't hypothetical case studies from textbooks.

These are real people whose trajectories changed because they engaged with GSEW. The 100+ hours of interviews will feature entrepreneurs, innovators, and professionals who've actually built and scaled businesses, navigated career pivots, and overcome real obstacles. You'll hear strategies that work, mistakes to avoid, and insights you can apply immediately.

6. Access Diverse Perspectives Beyond Your Bubble

The marathon format brings together people from all walks of life, not just core business functions. You'll hear from farmers revolutionizing agriculture, artists monetizing creativity, tech developers solving problems, educators transforming learning, and corporate executives driving change. This cross-pollination of ideas is where breakthrough thinking happens. A tech founder might discover customer acquisition strategies from a fashion entrepreneur. A corporate professional might learn agility from a startup founder. You can't get this kind of interdisciplinary learning in your industry's echo chamber.

7. Validate Your Ideas in Real-Time

If you're building something – whether it's a business, a career pivot, or a creative project – GSEW25 gives you immediate feedback. Watch how experienced entrepreneurs respond to different ideas during interviews.

Notice which business models generate excitement and which raise red flags. Observe how successful people think through problems. This real-time validation is more valuable than months of working in isolation, second-guessing your decisions. You'll leave with clarity on whether you're on the right track or need to adjust course.

8. Join a Movement With 12 Years of Measurable Impact

When you participate in GSEW25, you're not gambling on an untested initiative. Since 2013, Stars From All Nations has educated thousands of students, created 1350+ jobs and business opportunities, created 25 major events, and reached millions across Africa and beyond.

SFAN has been featured on New York Times Square through Nasdaq's Milestone Makers Program, covered by Forbes, SABC, and DW, and has partnered with powerhouses like Visa, British Council, Ecobank, MTN, GFA Consulting, and YALI West Africa. This track record means your time, money, or effort invested here compounds existing momentum rather than starting from zero.

9. Get Answers to Your Specific Challenges

The beauty of a 100+ hour marathon covering hundreds of topics is that someone will likely address the exact challenge you're facing. Struggling with fundraising? There'll be an interview about that. Trying to hire your first employees? That'll be covered. Figuring out how to market on a shoestring budget? You'll hear multiple approaches. Dealing with imposter syndrome or burnout? Expect honest conversations about the mental side of building. You'll get diverse perspectives on the same problem, allowing you to triangulate the best solution for your unique situation.

10. Stop Being a Bystander to Africa's Youth Crisis

60% of Africans are under 25. By 2030, one in every five people on Earth will be African. Youth unemployment is at crisis levels. You can either be part of the problem (doing nothing) or part of the solution.

GSEW25 gives you four concrete ways to help: Speak and inspire the next generation with your journey. Donate and create direct opportunities through scholarships. Share and expand the reach to those who need it most. Witness and participate actively in building solutions. History will ask: "Where were you when Africa's future was being shaped?" Make sure you have a good answer.

How to Get Involved

📅 When: October 28 - November 1, 2025

📍 Where: King Solomon's Height, 26 Mango Street, Spintex, Accra (In-person & Virtual)

Four Ways to Participate:

1. 🎤 Apply to Speak: Share your expertise as an interviewee (choose your own topic)
2. 💰 Donate: Fund scholarships from platinum to general contributions
3. 📣 Share: Use #GSEW25 #TomChrisBreaksGWR2 to amplify the message
4. 👀 Witness: Attend in person or join the livestream

🔗 Take Action: sfanonline.org/events/gsew

100+ hours. 100+ interviews. 100 scholarships. 1 mission: Unlocking Africa's potential.

The question isn't whether you can afford to participate. It's whether you can afford to miss the opportunity that could change everything: for you, for 100 young Africans, and for the continent's future.

Let's make history together!