The Global Startup Awards (aka GSAwards) was born in 2012 in the Nordics in Europe, with the mission to help its 5 countries’ up-and-coming startup ecosystems get to know each other better, as a reflection to the realisation that different stakeholders of these national level communities had not known much about each other, despite of being part of a very integrated and interconnected region. Being inspired by the Eurovision Song Contest, which was created after WW2 with the mission to reconnect Europe culturally, the Nordic region was shortly followed by the launch of the Central and Eastern European region in 2014 and the South-East Asian region in 2016, which later one was the very first license-based expansion of the concept and also the spark of the Global brand, which also meant the addition of the interregional (global) level to the competition. Today, the competition exists in 105 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe and is growing fast.

The Awards are carried out in three rounds in each region and not only have categories for startups but also for other stakeholders of startup ecosystems, such as investors, innovation/acceleration programs, ecosystem heroes, founders and many more. First, national nominations are opened. The shortlist from these nominations is influenced by the Experts, the Country Partners and Regional HQs. Regional finalists are announced in each country. After that, the voting opens as part of the selection process of the regional winners, which are selected by regional jury members. Regional winners are announced at the Regional Grand Finales, who automatically become global finalists. Finally, the regional winners (global finalists) compete on a global level. 

HERE is a more detailed description of the competition framework.

Regional Partners are the main drive of the expansion of the competition around the world.

What our regional partners get from us

A full package includes:

• An exclusive right to represent GSAwards in your specific region

• A unique visual identity for your region as part of Global Startup Awards, including a brand guide, a tailor-made regional logo in all formats as well as in an animated version

• A customised regional website with admin access and domain(s) for your region

• Social Media pages/channels/accounts just like Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, and other locally used channels

• Access to the proprietary IT system for managing the full competition process: we will grant you exclusive access to our own IT system that will manage your competition

• Competition process package: a well-documented framework, conceptual processes, animations, contract templates and files needed for onboarding competition stakeholders

• Sales & finance package: presentation, budget and sponsorship deck templates

• Event package: a playbook, guides, customised videos and presentation templates

• Content & marketing package: brand videos, different social media graphics in editable formats, access to HQ pictures & videos and a detailed communication and marketing guide

• Training and dedicated support: in order to prepare your team and help you execute the whole season successfully, including brainstorming sessions and regular support for the planning and conceptual development of the events

• Support in finding world-class jury members: we’ll help you get some globally recognised experts join your region’s jury board from our exclusive jury database

• Connecting your region to the vain of the global innovation scene: listing your region on the main page of the global website, cross promotions in the other regions as well as the global communication channels

• Your organisation promoted: your company / own brand will be associated with your region in all communication in other regions and globally

• Access to the global alumni network, including former regional and global winners, other regional partners, VIPs and special guests

• Invitation to and recognition at the Grand Finale Event and all other exclusive, invite-only events

• Business opportunities: as a Regional License Partner, you can use the Awards brand as a vehicle to access new professional networks and gain better recognition for your core business activities

An organisation that can benefit from this collaboration works within the startup/innovation space nationally or regionally in some capacity, for example:

• Cooperating with startup programs

• Running a non-profit with innovation/startup projects

• Communication/marketing / PR agencies serving clients

• Professional innovation agencies with different activities

• An already-running startup competition on a national level that wishes to scale regionally and globally

• Seriousness about the partnership and clear goals wished to be achieved with the cooperation, in line with our vision and values

• A dedicated team with at least one project manager fully available all year around

• Execution of the competition season on our standards

• An yearly fee to be paid in instalments, connected to milestones, which does not only include the license but also services and support