The Global Startup Awards (GSA), the world’s largest startup ecosystem platform, proudly announces that the 11th edition of its Global Grand Finale will be held on May 7–8, 2026, as part of the EU-Startups Summit at the Mediterranean Conference Center in Valletta, Malta.

This landmark collaboration brings 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.

A GLOBAL CELEBRATION ANCHORED IN EUROPE

Hosted inside the EU-Startups Summit, the Global Grand Finale creates a unique meeting point where global talent intersects with European opportunity.

By uniting GSA’s worldwide network with one of Europe’s leading startup gatherings, the event offers founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders unmatched visibility, access to new markets, and a powerful platform to build enduring cross-border partnerships.

Over 2,500 attendees are expected, including 1,200 startup founders, 300 investors, and delegations from more than 100 countries across the world, making this the most diverse and globally inclusive edition to date.

WHY MALTA?

After more than a decade of expansion across 154 countries, the GSA is bringing its global community back to its continent of origin: Europe.

Malta serves as the gateway for this return, offering a strategic EU location at the crossroads of global innovation, policy, and investment.

By hosting Edition 11 at the EU-Startups Summit in Malta, GSA creates a direct bridge between its global ecosystem and Europe, strengthened through the EU-Startups community and empowered by MeOut Group’s long-standing commitment to connecting ecosystems across borders.

“After more than a decade of building the Global Startup Awards across 154 countries, we are now bringing the full strength of our global network into the heart of Europe. Hosting Edition 11 of the Global Grand Finale here creates a powerful bridge between global innovation and Europe, anchored in an EU setting and strengthened through our partnership with EU-Startups and our co-founding investor, MeOut Group,”

- Kim Balle, CEO and Co-founder of XO Group (Owner of the Global Startup Awards).

SHOWCASING THE WORLD’S LEADING INNOVATORS

The Global Grand Finale marks the culmination of GSA’s year-long competition, which celebrates innovation across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Oceania.

Global finalists will take the stage in Malta to compete live for 13 prestigious global titles, selected across the following categories:

Startup of the Year
Best Newcomer
Best Greentech Startup
Best Health Tech Startup
Best Fintech Startup
Best Youth Startup
VC of the Year
Best Accelerator or Incubator Program
Best Co-working Space
Founder of the Year
Diversity Role Model of the Year
Ecosystem Hero of the Year
People’s Choice

Winners will be announced during the Global Awards Ceremony in front of an international audience of industry leaders, investors, and media.

ADDITIONAL EVENT HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

Live startup showcases and the Global Awards Ceremony.

Keynotes and fireside chats with globally recognised founders and investors.
Exhibition of cutting-edge tech and solutions.
Investor–startup matchmaking sessions.
Dedicated networking enabling cross-border collaboration.

TICKETS AND ACCESS

As the Global Grand Finale is hosted within the EU-Startups Summit, all attendees are required to secure an EU-Startups Summit ticket.

Global finalists will receive one complimentary ticket, while all other attendees can benefit from a 25% discount by using the code GSA25 when purchasing their tickets.

Secure your tickets here: https://www.eu-startups.com/summit/

ABOUT MEOUT GROUP

MeOut Group is a leading network of organizations that focus on innovation and education. Through its portfolio of platforms, media brands, and initiatives, MeOut Group enables startup ecosystems to grow, scale, and collaborate globally. The group is the investor behind the Global Startup Awards.

ABOUT GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS (GSA)

The Global Startup Startup (GSA) is the world’s largest startup ecosystem platform, which covers 154 countries worldwide. The GSA discovers and empowers high-growth and innovative entrepreneurs and their startups through global competitions, events, collaboration, and community.

ABOUT EU-STARTUPS

EU-Startups, part of MeOut Group, is the leading online publication focused on startups across Europe.

In addition, EU-Startups organizes the annual EU-Startups Summit to gather Europe’s top founders and investors for two exciting days of networking, inspiration and learning. Founded in 2010, EU-Startups set out to connect the European startup scene and to encourage/boost tech entrepreneurship throughout Europe.

Learn more about the EU-Startups Summit at https://www.eu-startups.com/summit/ and secure your tickets with 25% off using the code: GSA25

JOIN US IN MALTA

The GSA invites the world’s leading entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation champions to be part of this milestone celebration.

For media inquiries or partnership opportunities, get in touch at business.team@globalstartupawards.com.

THE GLOBAL STARTUP AWARDS FINALE AT EU-STARTUPS SUMMIT 2026