GLOBAL GRAND
FINALE
EDITION 11
📍 VALLETTA, MALTA I MAY 7-8, 2026
WHERE GLOBAL TALENT MET
EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITY
The Global Grand Finale of Edition 11 was hosted inside one of EU’s leading startup events, the EU-Startups Summit, which created a powerful meeting point between global talent and European opportunity.
This landmark collaboration brought together two of Europe’s most influential startup platforms, made possible by MeOut Group, the investor behind the Global Startup Awards and the sole owner of EU-Startups.
WHY MALTA?
Malta’s strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East made it a perfect host city of the Global Grand Finale.
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 provided a warm and dynamic backdrop for founders and leaders shaping the next decade of global entrepreneurship.
THE GLOBAL FINALE
EXPERIENCE
EVENT METRICS
2500
EVENT ATTENDEES
1200
FOUNDERS
300
INVESTORS
100+
COUNTRIES
180
GSA FINALISTS
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.
We were excited to have been joined by Daniel Cronin as the MC for the Global Grand Finale.
His energy and expertise guided the entire event, making it an inspiring and unforgettable experience.
MASTER OF cEREMONIES
Daniel Cronin is a dynamic force at the intersection of innovation, entrepreneurship, and public speaking. As a serial entrepreneur, university lecturer, author and sought-after keynote speaker, he has a rare talent for transforming complex topics like digitalization, startups, and business pitching into engaging, relatable, and actionable insights.
BIOGRAPHY
GLOBAL
WINNERS
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STARTUP OF THE YEAR
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BEST NEWCOMER
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BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
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BEST FINTECH STARTUP
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BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
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INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
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BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
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BEST COWORKING SPACE
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FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
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DIVERSITY ROLE MODEL OF THE YEAR
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BEST YOUTH STARTUP
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ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE
GLOBAL
FINALISTS
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM CENTRAL EUROPE
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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
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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
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM SOUTH EUROPE
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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
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM AFRICA
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STARTUP OF THE YEAR
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
INVESTOR OF THE YEAR
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/INCUBATOR PROGRAM
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
women in tech
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST AGRI TECH
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
best Mobility & logisticS
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
GIIG future shape
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
Youth Startup of the Year
CONTINENTAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM LATIN AMERICA
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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
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PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM THE NORDICS
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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
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM EASTERN EUROPE
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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
REGIONA WINNER - EDITION 11 -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA
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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 -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM NORTH AMERICA
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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 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST YOUTH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM EAST ASIA
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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 -
BEST ACCELERATOR/ INCUBATOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST YOUTH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
ECOSYSTEM HERO OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM THE GREATER BAY AREA
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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 ACCELERATOR/ INCUBATOR PROGRAM
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 OF THE YEAR
Description goes here -
PEOPLE'S CHOICE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11
GLOBAL FINALISTS FROM OCEANIA
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STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST NEWCOMER
REGIONAL FINALIST - EDITION 11 -
BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST FINTECH STARTUP OF THE YEAR
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST GREENTECH STARTUP
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 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 ACCELERATOR/ INCUBTOR PROGRAM
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
BEST COWORKING SPACE
REGIONAL WINNER - EDITION 11 -
FOUNDER 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 WESTERN EUROPE
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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
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 MIDDLE EAST
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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 -
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 GRAND
FINALE EDITION 10
📍 Istanbul, Türkiye
GLOBAL PARTNER
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