GLOBAL GRAND
FINALE
EDITION 11
📍 VALLETTA, MALTA I MAY 7-8, 2026
GLOBAL TALENT MEETS
EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITY
We are happy to announce that the Global Startup Awards (GSA) and EU-Startups will join forces in 2026 for the 11th Edition of the Global Grand Finale.
The Global Grand Finale of Edition 11 will be hosted inside one of EU’s top startup events, the EU-Startups Summit, creating a powerful meeting point between global talent and European opportunity.
This collaboration strengthens cross border engagement, expands market access for participating startups, and reinforces Europe’s position as a global launchpad for innovation.
SHORTCUTS
WHY MALTA?
Malta’s strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East makes it a perfect host city of the Global Grand Finale.
It offers an ideal setting for a globally oriented finale with a European anchor.
Key strengths include:
A fast evolving innovation and technology landscape.
Strong governmental commitment to startups and talent mobility.
A vibrant cultural identity that blends history, connectivity, and modern growth.
A setting that inspires creativity, community, and collaboration.
Valletta provides a warm and dynamic backdrop for founders and leaders shaping the next decade of global entrepreneurship.
THE GLOBAL FINALE
EXPERIENCE
What you can expect
3000
EVENT ATTENDEES
1500
FOUNDERS
400
INVESTORS
100+
COUNTRIES
13
GSA WINNERS
Top founders from across 154 countries will gather in Malta, representing the most promising innovators from every region of the world.
A GLOBAL SHOWCASE OF EXCELLENCE
Unmatched visibility and opportunity
Finalists gain direct access to the European investor community through the EU-Startups Summit’s curated networking formats, pitching sessions, and deal flow opportunities.
LIVE CROWNING OF THE global winners
The global winners of GSA Edition 11 will be announced live on the main stage on May 7, in front of investors, corporates, media, and international ecosystem builders.
A catalyst for global collaboration
The Global Finale brings together multiple regions, perspectives, and sectors, nurturing partnerships that transcend borders.
MEET THE GLOBAL
FINALISTS
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE
-
STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
EMPOWERMENT CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST AI-ENABLED STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST YOUTH STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
-
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM CENTRAL ASIA
-
STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
DIVERSITY ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST YOUTH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
-
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM SOUTH EUROPE
-
STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
DIVERSITY ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST YOUTH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
-
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM AFRICA
-
STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
women in tech
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST AGRI TECH
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
best Mobility & logisticS
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
GIIG future shape
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
-
Youth Startup of the Year
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM LATIN AMERICA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM NORTH AMERICA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM SOUTH ASIA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM EAST ASIA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM THE GREATER BAY AREA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM OCEANIA
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM THE NORDICS
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM WESTERN EUROPE
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PENDING...
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM EASTERN EUROPE
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PENDING...
GLOBAL GRAND
FINALE EDITION 10
📍 Istanbul, Türkiye
ORGANISERS
