‘’Being part of the GSA community has opened doors to connect with investors, helping my name and my company’s name to gain recognition on an international level. This has been a defining moment, expanding our impact beyond my country’s borders.’’

HADEER SHALABY, FREEZIANA
(FOUNDER OF THE YEAR 2024)

‘’Platforms such as the GSA help elevate incredible innovations within underserved markets and founders that would traditionally be overlooked. I’m honoured to be recognised and partnering with them.’’

KIDUS ASFAW, KUBIK INC.
(STARTUP OF THE YEAR 2023)

“We’re so proud to be named the Global Startup of the Year. We’ve been a scrappy startup, we’ve tackled the joys and challenges of scaling. Now, it really feels like we’re moving into a new phase – and that starts with this fantastic award.”

JEPPE RINDOM
(UNICORN FOUNDER), PLEO
(STARTUP OF THE YEAR 2021)

‘‘The Global Startup Awards is an incredible platform to celebrate innovation and entrepreneurship. It's inspiring to see how startups from around the world are pushing boundaries and driving positive change. I'm thrilled to be part of this journey.’’

ANDREW SOEHERMAN, ERATANI
(STARTUP OF THE YEAR 2024)

‘‘Being part of this vibrant community has connected us with innovators, mentors, and collaborators worldwide, expanding our horizons and fueling new opportunities.’’

SIDDHANTH & DEEPANSH, NEXSTEM
(BEST HEALTH TECH STARTUP 2024)

"This recognition helped us in a great way with validating our solution to both partners and customers. We were in the middle of closing our seed round when we received this award so it was a nice boost going through the investment process."

INGI RAFN SIGURDSSON,
KAROLINA FUND
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016,
THE NORDICS)

"The GSA is a great organization because they recognize startups and make them visible. If they want to have success, they need this visibility; they need customers, investors and everyone to have a reference to them. The GSA is really helping them with that."

ANETTE NØRGAARD, MICROSOFT
(SPONSORS OF THE NORDIC COMPETITION)

‘‘We are very humbled and deeply honoured. I think this award is quite important to us, as it is a great testament to the technology that we have developed over the last four and a half years, so it is hugely appreciated.”

BRIAN MUNKHOLM, REALM
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016,
THE NORDICS)

"Winning this award really increased our international recognition. We got several requests to collaborate by potential investors, startup accelerators, and other enterprise developing organisations."

KRISZTIÁN IMRE, EVA VISION
(BEST NEWCOMER 2017)

"Winning provided a boost in my efforts to successfully open Credo's Silicon Valley office: it helped me to stand out from the crowd in the eyes of U.S. investors, which made them pay more attention to our startups."

ANDREJ KISKA, CREDO VENTURES
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

“Almost one year after winning, we still get networking opportunities with investors. For example, we recently got the chance to sit down with some representatives from AUDI’s management. It was pretty great, and without this award we would not have had that opportunity.”

PÉTER LUKÁCS, NOSTROMO
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

“Puzl CowOrKing has the ambition to grow across Central and Eastern Europe. Winning the award has been a great boost for us. It has given us credibility in the region and has opened many doors for us.”

THIBAUT TAITTINGER,
PUZL COWORKING
(REGIONAL WINNER 2017,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

"Thanks to the award, we have become more recognized outside of the country. Many great startups came to us thanks to this nomination. It was also appreciated by experts who became mentors in our program."

PAULINA IGNATOWSKA-ZAREMBA, HUGE THING
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

‘’The regional competition is a great opportunity for SAP to see who the movers and shakers of the local startup scene are. It gives us a good understanding of who is doing what in specific technology domains. A big bonus is that we get to meet and engage with the teams.’’

NICHOLAS MAGYAR-ZIMMERMAN, SAP
(SPONSORS OF THE COMPETITION IN CENTRAL EUROPE)

‘’I had been expecting to meet a lot of inspiring people, innovators and visionaries, and get to know their stunning ideas… And I did! It’s one of those events that are a must in our industry, and for all the good reasons.’’

MAGDALENA, KWOSKA, PwC
(SPONSORS OF THE COMPETITION IN CENTRAL EUROPE)

"Winning the competition in Central Europe was not only a recognition for our work in Southeast Europe but it also strengthened our brand among startups and investors."

RUMEN ILIEV, LAUNCHUB VENTURES
(REGIONAL WINNER 2017, CENTRAL EUROPE)

‘’This award as the Best Newcomer is a great honour for us! In 2020, we achieved 30x growth in our user numbers and truly became one of the fastest-growing startups in the region. This is how the Best Newcomer prize is truly proved to be worthy.’’

GERGELY ROMHÁNY, TRUSTCHAIN
(BEST NEWCOMER 2021)

“It was a great honour to be awarded and be recognized as a successful startup founder. It gives me extra motivation to keep up the good job. I even had a bank reaching out to me saying: “you've got great PR, we want to work with you."

SARA KOSLINSKA, LIMITLESS
(REGIONAL WINNER 2017,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

"The competition in Central Europe connected us to the management of a major automotive company. The GSA’s ability to facilitate connections are what’s been missing in the CEE region."

TAMÁS TERRAY, QUANTIFIED COMPANY
(REGIONAL NOMINEE 2016,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

"The GSA is more than just a competition - it brings the whole startup ecosystem together and represents the key values that we all have in common.”

KATA KLEMENTZ, LOFFICE
(REGIONAL WINNER 2015 & 2016, CENTRAL EUROPE)

"It (the competition) enables the creation of meaningful relations between ecosystem players on a global level, which is a valuable benefit. At 500 Startups, we're always looking to connect with global ecosystems and bridge the gap to Silicon Valley - and the GSA is a great catalyst in this effort."

TANYA SOMAN, SOUTHPAW CAPITAL
(FORMER; 500 STARTUPS)
(JURY MEMBER, CENTRAL EUROPE)

"Winning gives us a new spirit and motivation to be bigger and more impactful than before. I think the competition gives us the strength to have more impact on the Indonesian society, and possibly also on other countries in the ASEAN region as well."

ADI SAIFULLAH PUTRA, MALLSAMPAH
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016, SOUTHEAST ASIA)

"Recognition is the key. It helps expand our services to a mass audience."

JEEVAN KUMAR, ZOOM
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016, SOUTHEAST ASIA)

"We were happy that we were recognized by the GSA for the positive impact we are bringing to people's life, study and work."

STEVE MUNROE, HUBUD
(REGIONAL WINNER 2016, SOUTHEAST ASIA)

‘’Our partnership with the GSA will indeed propel our regional entrepreneurs to a global audience, followed by the public and media attention they truly deserve.’’

LILYANA ABDUL LATIFF, MEDPLANNER
(REGIONAL PARTNER IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIA REGION)

“Our partnership will be used as a bridge between the public and private to promote innovation across SAARC countries, and to enable them to solve their problems at exponential rates.”

JERRIC LYNS JOHN, NUCARBN
(REGIONAL PARTNER IN THE SOUTH ASIA REGION)

“I’m proud to be part of the GSA as a jury member. The great ideas, visions and innovation showcased by the founders, entrepreneurs and investors are fantastic. And the GSA provides a great platform for connecting the ecosystems globally - creating tomorrow’s solutions.”

MARTIN RUNE HOXER,
INNOVATION CENTRE DENMARK
(GLOBAL JURY MEMBER)

“Innovation was always truly global, and now it is good to see more diverse startups get the global attention and respect that they deserve.”

JAMES H. NAKAGAWA, FAMILY INVESTMENT OFFICES
(GLOBAL JURY MEMBER)

‘’The best thing about participating in the GSA was the people I got to know on the way. Winning the award gave us a strong media presence, which helped with investors and clients.’’

FLORIAN WIMMER, BLOCKPIT
(REGIONAL WINNER 2018,
CENTRAL EUROPE)

‘’It takes a village to raise a successful startup - and having a platform such as the GSA is fantastic. I’m happy to play a part in furthering the global startup ecosystem and to have this opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs from all over the world.’’

MALIN FRITHIOFSSON, DAYA
(FORMER; WOMEN IN TECH GOTHENBURG)
(PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2021)

‘‘The Global Startup Awards is a good opportunity for companies to reach a broader audience, network with like-minded people, and explore partnerships with innovative companies from around the world.’’

DAN VIKSTÖM, ACORAI
(REGIONAL FINALIST 2023, THE NORDICS)