GLOBAL GRAND

AWARD SHOW

SEPTEMBER 25, 2024

📍 ESMA SULTAN YALISI

WELCOME TO

ISTANBUL!

In collaboration with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Global Startup Awards proudly brought the world’s largest independent startup competition to Türkiye. This partnership underscored Istanbul's position as a thriving innovation hub and its dedication to fostering entrepreneurship. By connecting local startups and innovators to the global ecosystem, we worked together to elevate Türkiye’s visibility on the international stage, showcasing its potential as a key player in driving innovation and economic growth. This collaboration highlighted the government’s commitment to nurturing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation of global changemakers.

WELCOME TO ISTANBUL - GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS

AFTER-EVENT VIDEO - GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS

Global Innovation at the Crossroads of Continents

We convened in Istanbul, a dynamic crossroads where the most innovative ideas from around the globe come together at the intersection of East and West. We celebrated the transformative power of global entrepreneurship in a city that unites continents, cultures, and visionary thinkers.

RECORD-BREAKING COMPETITION NUMBERS

36,000+

APPLICATIONS

340,000+

public votes

THE VENUE

Esma Sultan Yalısı is located in the heart of Istanbul, Türkiye. It is located in Ortaköy, next to the Great Mecidiye Mosque, the waterside mansion was built by Sarkis Balyan for Esma Sultan, the daughter of Sultan Abdülaziz, between 1873 and 1875.

THE PROGRAM

WELCOME

A Welcome to an unforgettable evening

As the doors opened, guests were welcomed by a harmonious blend of music, creating an inviting atmosphere that ensured a swift and pleasant check-in experience.

networking

A Moment to Mingle and CONNECT

Upon entering, attendees were presented with the opportunity to connect with one another and capture memorable moments, fostering an atmosphere rich with anticipation and excitement.

GLOBAL award show

The Highlight of the Evening

The audience was treated to a captivating showcase on the Grand Finale Stage, where the spotlight shone on our esteemed finalists and winners. The evening unfolded with a blend of engaging interviews, entertaining performances, and moments of joyous celebration.

breakS & dinner

Culinary and Cultural Delights

As the evening unfolded, guests were treated to spectacular musical performances while savouring a sumptuous four course dinner.

after-party

DanceD the Night Away

The celebration unfolded as we invited everyone to take to the dance floor, with our DJ curating a dynamic mix of cherished classics and contemporary hits, guaranteeing an evening brimming with energy, laughter, and dancing.

NOTABLE APPEARANCE BY

THE MAYOR OF ISTANBUL

Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality made a notable appearance at this year's Global Startup Awards, where he proudly accepted the trophy for ‘Best Accelerator/Incubator Program’ on behalf of Tech Istanbul, the municipality's entrepreneurial arm.

During his keynote speech, the Mayor expressed his pride in hosting the Global Startup Awards in Istanbul and emphasized the vital role young entrepreneurs play in shaping both local and global entrepreneurial ecosystems.

‘‘We aim to strengthen Istanbul's entrepreneurial culture and to create human resources, ideas, products, and services by leveraging the opportunities brought by emerging technologies. I believe we can achieve the goals we have set thanks to the dynamic energy of our young entrepreneurs. The world needs more people like you who make a difference.’’

Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu,
Mayor of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

STARTUP CATEGORIES

A startup that inspires the next generation of founders by positively impacting the economy and the world in general. It should have a product and/or service that is already a success on the market, disrupting its industry with an innovative approach.

Startup Of The Year

A startup that is strategically positioned to transform the healthcare sector through cutting-edge technology and innovative business models, positively impacting lives.

BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP

A startup up to 2 years of age with the potential to become Startup of the Year in the future. Its product and/or service is already on the market on a path to disrupt its industry and positively impact the economy and the world.

best newcomer

A startup with an innovative contribution to the global Web 3.0 or AI scene that incorporates decentralization, blockchain technologies, and token-based economics at the core of its added value, in addition to a commitment to increased data security, scalability, and enhanced privacy.

BEST WEB3.0 & AI STARTUP

A startup that focuses on providing innovative solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and have a positive impact on energy efficiency and waste reduction. This could be implemented in industries such as energy, transportation, sustainable agriculture, logistics, or SCM, with a commitment to reducing carbon footprint and promoting overall environmental well-being.

Best green tech STARTUP

ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT ENTITY CATEGORIES

VC of
The Year

An organization, or an entity that allocates capital with the expectation of generating a financial return while driving a positive impact on the Regional and Global levels.

BEST ACCELERATOR/
INCUBATOR program

An Accelerator/Incubator Program that foster entrepreneurial ventures through fixed-term, cohort-based initiatives, etc.. These programs provide essential tools, resources, mentorship, and expertise,

Best co-working
space

A co-working space that provides its services, support, and resources to fast-growth startups, and for creating a culture and an environment that fosters innovation and focuses on positively impacting the world.

INDIVIDUAL-BASED CATEGORIES

founder of
the year

A startup founder or co-founder who has shown strong leadership skills and achieved exceptional business results while also being an inspiration to their team and a role model for the next generation of founders.

diversity role model
of the year

An individual distinguished by exceptional role-model achievements and a notable commitment to empowering women and underrepresented groups to become founders, investors, and leaders within the local and international startup ecosystem.

An individual with a remarkable commitment to entrepreneurship and impactful contributions in nurturing startup growth and fostering collaboration. An individual who is a visionary spirit, actively shaping the entrepreneurial landscape by supportive and innovative initiatives.

ecosystem hero of the year

AUDIeNCE-BASED CATEGORY

Any applicant who has been announced a finalist in any of the categories above receives an automatic nomination to this category. The winner is the applicant with the highest number of accumulated public votes.

people’s choice

GLOBAL WINNERS EDITION X

Eratani

STARTUP OF THE YEAR

Eratani is solving global agricultural challenges with a comprehensive ecosystem, from farmer support to crop distribution and supply chain management.

WEBSITE
Cyclizm

BEST NEWCOMER

Cyclizm offers optimized green hydrogen and renewable energy solutions, focusing on plant design and automating feasibility studies for global sustainability.

WEBSITE
TechBuzz Hub

BEST CO-WORKING SPACE

TechBuzz Hub offers startup incubation, coworking, coaching, and growth support to help entrepreneurs succeed in a competitive market.

WEBSITE
BasiGo

BEST GREEN TECH STARTUP

BasiGo, a Kenyan startup, is transforming public transport with cost-effective electric matatus, aiming for a cleaner, more efficient future.

WEBSITE
Fumbi

PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Fumbi, a Slovakian startup, simplifies cryptocurrency investing with user-friendly tools, promoting safe and accessible digital asset growth across Europe.

WEBSITE
Hadeer Shalaby

FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
Hadeer Shalaby is a business leader with 8 years of experience, empowering 150,000+ women in Egypt and the Middle East, and mentoring startups.

LinkedIn
Tech Istanbul

BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM

Tech Istanbul, part of Istanbul's Smart City Directorate, boosts startups with programs connecting tech enthusiasts to industry, aiding growth from idea to global.

WEBSITE
Soulmates Ventures

VC OF THE YEAR
Soulmates Ventures is an accelerator for bold entrepreneurs building a sustainable future, funding up to €1M in air, water, energy, and waste.

WEBSITE
Nexstem

BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP

Nexstem’s hardware and intuitive interface enable seamless BCI apps with medical-grade signals, an easy SDK, and a versatile design for advanced health solutions.

WEBSITE
Momint

BEST WEB3.0 & AI STARTUP
Momint is an NFT-backed social media platform connecting creators and fans, boosting engagement through blockchain technology.

Website
Mari Luukkainen

DIVERSITY ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR

Mari Luukkainen is the Principal at Identity.vc, investing in 100+ startups and founder of Herizon.io, named Investor of the Year NWITA 2022.

Website
Mya Thandar

ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR

Mya Thandar is the Chairperson at MyJobs Myanmar, advocating for youth career development and women’s empowerment, transforming MyJobs Group.

Linkedin