We’re comfortable to announce that the eleventh Version of the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale will happen on the night of the Might seventh 2026 as a part of the EU-Startups Summit on the Mediterranean Convention Heart in Valletta, Malta (Might 7-8).
The Grand Finale is a separate, globally-focused celebration embedded inside our agenda – including a contemporary, worldwide flavour to the proceedings, however distinct from our personal Europe-only pitch competitors.
A shared mission, expanded stage
This collaboration was made attainable because of MeOut Group, the investor behind the World Startup Awards (GSA) and Guardian Firm of EU-Startups. It displays our shared perception that startups don’t thrive in isolation – they thrive in connection.
As we proceed to concentrate on Europe, GSA brings a really world group into the room. By this aligned mission, we’re co-hosting an surroundings the place native innovation meets worldwide perspective. Collectively, we’re shaping a platform that welcomes boundary-pushing entrepreneurs, no matter the place they arrive from.
“EU-Startups has all the time stood for connecting the European startup ecosystem – and now, by way of this collaboration with GSA, we’re opening the door for world views to hitch the dialog. Whereas our Summit stays centered on European innovation, this partnership strengthens our shared mission of empowering founders at each stage and from each area,” says Thomas Ohr, CEO and Founding father of EU-Startups.
Why Malta?
After increasing throughout 154 nations over the previous decade, the GSA is returning to its European roots – and what higher place than Malta? The island is an more and more strategic bridge for world coverage, tech funding, and cross-border expertise.
Internet hosting the Grand Finale right here symbolises a homecoming of types for the GSA, and we’re proud to have it happen throughout our Summit.
Over 2,500 attendees are anticipated throughout the joint occasion, with no less than 1,200 startup founders, 300 traders, and delegations from greater than 100 nations. That range brings not simply visibility however tangible alternative all concerned.
“After greater than a decade of constructing the World Startup Awards throughout 154 nations, we at the moment are bringing the complete power of our world community into the center of Europe. Internet hosting Version 11 of the World Grand Finale right here creates a strong bridge between world innovation and Europe, anchored in an EU setting and strengthened by way of our partnership with EU-Startups and our co-founding investor, MeOut Group,” provides Kim Balle, CEO and Co-founder of XO Group (Proprietor of the GSA).
Totally different phases, shared vitality
Our personal EU-Startups Summit pitch competitors will proceed as all the time, with a sole concentrate on early-stage European startups. The World Grand Finale sits alongside it, including a worldwide dimension that enhances our core mission.
In Malta, GSA finalists from throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, the Center East, the Americas, and Oceania will compete stay throughout 13 classes, together with:
- Startup of the Yr
- Greatest Newcomer
- Greatest GreenTech Startup
- Greatest HealthTech Startup
- Greatest FinTech Startup
- Greatest Youth Startup
- VC of the Yr
- Greatest Accelerator or Incubator Programme
- Greatest Co-working House
- Founding father of the Yr
- Variety Function Mannequin of the Yr
- Ecosystem Hero of the Yr
- Folks’s Selection
Winners will probably be introduced in the course of the World Awards Ceremony in entrance of an viewers of world traders, ecosystem leaders, and media.
Past the pitch stage, attendees can anticipate stay startup showcases, keynote classes, fireplace chats, cutting-edge product exhibitions, curated matchmaking alternatives, and devoted networking zones designed to foster cross-border collaboration.
Tickets and entry
All EU-Startups Summit ticket holders could have entry to the GSA Grand Finale. Finalists chosen for the competitors will obtain complimentary entry.
As we sit up for Might, we invite founders, traders, and startup fanatics from everywhere in the world to hitch us in Malta for what guarantees to be a really particular version of the EU-Startups Summit – with a worldwide twist.
