Babson College sophomore John Xie, founder of Cirtex Corp took first place at the regional contest of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Nerve Conference held recently in Atlantic City.

As winner, Xie has earned his place to compete at the 2009 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) Global Finals competition in the fall where the world’s top undergraduate student entrepreneurs are recognized for juggling the demands of a full course load while running a business. They are brought together to compete for the title and $150,000 in cash and donated prizes.

Xie’s company, Cirtex Corp, provides various affordable and professional web hosting services ranging from shared web hosting to virtual private servers and dedicated servers.

To enter the regional competition, qualified student entrepreneurs must have been running a for-profit company for six months or more, be principally responsible for the company’s operations and simultaneously attend a recognized college or university as an undergraduate during the nomination period. Successful applicants present in front of a panel of EO members and local business representatives from the community. Interested students should go to www.gsea.org to submit a nomination and receive the online application.

“Like computer icon and former EO member Michael Dell, who started his company in his college dorm room, these students have a passion for entrepreneurship,” said Global Vice President, Emerging Programs Dean Lindal, of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization. “Today, small businesses and entrepreneurs are leading the worldwide economic recovery, and GSEA is committed to recognizing their innovation, success and leadership to encourage more students to follow their dreams.”