global categories

description and criteria

Looking for a certain category?

The Global Startup Awards welcomes nominations from three key types of applicants within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

These nominations are categorized into the following categories:

Startup

(General criteria)

  • The startup must be a maximum of 5 years in age – calculated from the establishment date until public nominations open (with the exception of the Best Newcomer category).

  • The startup must have been founded and must currently be located in the country participating in the competition.

  • The startup must have a minimum viable product (MVP) and/or service in the market.

  • The startup must be generating monthly recurring revenue.

  • The startup must have a team of two or more people.

  • All applications must be submitted in English, and all decks/pitches must be in English too.

🌎 The startup's solution should align with the following SDGs:

Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth. 

Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES - STARTUPS:

Startup Of The Year

  • 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.

    • The startup must showcase significant industry innovation, disrupting market norms for substantial change.

    • Highlight positive economic and societal impact, including job creation and sustainability initiatives.

    • Outline clear plans for scalability, growth strategies, target markets, and future milestones.

    • Emphasize the founding team's quality, diversity, and expertise in driving innovation.

    • Demonstrate consistent and sustainable monthly recurring revenue for financial viability.

BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP

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

    • Clinical Efficiency Enhancement: Innovations improving clinical workflows and operational efficiency in healthcare settings.

    • Patient-Centric Engagement: Solutions fostering active patient involvement and satisfaction in their healthcare journey.

    • Revolutionary Medical Devices: Impactful, unique devices transforming patient care and treatment outcomes.

    • Comprehensive Digital Health Solutions: Bridging gaps and improving access to quality care through digital innovations.

    • AI-Driven Predictive Analytics: Personalized interventions for disease prevention and optimized treatments.

    • Innovative Fitness & Wellness Solutions: Promoting healthier lifestyles and preventive care through novel approaches.

      🌎 The startup's solution should align with at least:

    • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being, optionally also:

    • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

best newcomer

  • 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.

  • All criteria of the Startup of The Year apply except for the age of the startup. The startup must be a maximum of 2 years of age (calculated from the establishment date until public nominations open).

BEST FIN TECH STARTUP

  • For startups leveraging technology in areas like e-commerce, blockchain, and cryptocurrency, directly impacting payments, lending, insurance, investments, or data analytics. These startups introduce novel approaches and disruptive technologies, transforming traditional financial practices and earning recognition for reshaping the industry.

  • Startup solution should match with at least one of the following:

    • Financial Services Integration: by offering products or services that directly impact financial activities, such as payments, lending, insurance, investments, or data analytics.

    • Technological Focus: The startup centers its operations around technology to innovate in e-commerce, mobile-commerce, blockchain, cryptocurrency, insurtech, or big data markets within the financial sector.

    And, the Startup must:

    • Introduce novel approaches, business models, and technologies to improve or disrupt traditional financial practices within the market segments above.

Best green tech 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.

    • The startup's solution should disrupt norms, reduce energy consumption, promoting renewables, or optimizing processes for environmental benefit.

    • The startup's solution should have a positive environmental impact, such as carbon footprint reduction, energy savings, or waste minimization.

    🌎 The startup's solution should align with at least one of the following UNSDGs:

    • Goal 6: clean water and sanitization,

    • Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities,

    • Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,

    • Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure,

    • Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production,

    • Goal 13: Climate Action.

    • Goal 14: Life Below Water or

    • Goal 15: Life on Land

COMPETITION CATEGORIES -
ECOSYSTEM SUPPORT ENTITIES:

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.

  • The investor must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.

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,

  • The Accelerator/Incubator Program must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.

Best coworking
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.

  • The co-working space must be established in the country from which they are applying in the competition.

COMPETITION CATEGORIES -
INDIVIDUALS:

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.

  • The individual must be a founder or co-founder of a startup with a maximum of 5 years in age (calculated from the establishment date until public nominations open).

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 must perform their activity in the country that they are participating in, having a regional outreach/global impact is a plus. Additionally, they should be:

    • An individual who leads a specific organization and/or performs an activity to promote and enable more women and/or members of underrepresented groups to become professionals in the startup and innovation ecosystem.

    • Or, a woman or a member of an underrepresented group who is a leader/founder/entrepreneur who is leading a journey that is driven by innovation and impact.

    • 🌎 The applicant's leadership strategy should align with SDG Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

ecosystem hero of the year

  • 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.

    • The Ecosystem Hero of The Year must be an individual who leads a specific organization and/or performs an activity with exceptional dedication and impact in fostering entrepreneurship, nurturing startup growth, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders within the entrepreneurial landscape.

    • The individual must perform their activity in the country that they are participating in.

AUDIeNCE-BASED CATEGORY

people’s choice

  • 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.

  • Collect the highest number of accumulated public votes.