Free, equity-free and built for early-stage founders.
Applications for the 12th edition of Global Startup Awards (GSA) are now open, and early-stage startups can apply today. Seventeen GSA alumni have gone on to unicorn status, a company with a valuation of €1 billion or more.
This edition gives the next group of founders a clear, fair route to recognition, investors and industry leaders.
Simpler to apply
Applying takes three things: a short 1-minute form, a pitch deck and a one-pager. There is no fee, and GSA takes no equity. This is the simplest, fastest application GSA has ever run.
Founders share only what’s essential, and the GSA team does the heavy lifting: placing each startup in the right region and category, so it competes against others working in similar spaces.
“One minute, a deck, a one-pager, that’s the whole application. If it takes you longer than a coffee, we’ve built it wrong.” says Yazan Othman, Director of Operations at Global Startup Awards.
Judged with rigour
Every application sent to Edition 12 is reviewed and scored using the same evaluation method; combining market benchmarks, insights from industry experts and academics, and AI-powered analysis.
The AI-first approach helps ensure consistency across applications, while human evaluators remain responsible for final decisions. This combination of technology and human expertise is designed to give every startup a fair and rigorous assessment, regardless of its region or category.
“Seventeen companies that came through this competition became unicorns, GSA already saw potential in them way before anyone else. I believe Edition 12 with the AI-first and human-in-charge approach will live up to this legacy,” adds Tamas Tuske, Innovation Director, MeOut Group.
Value for every applicant
Recognition is only one part of the Global Startup Awards experience. Every startup that applies to Edition 12 receives access to benefits, regardless of how far it progresses in the competition.
Unlike most startup competitions, where only the winners benefit, GSA gives something to every startup that applies.
Immediately after applying, startups join the GSA Community and receive a welcome offer by email, featuring free and discounted tools and services from partners including Notion, HubSpot and EU-Startups.com.
This edition, the welcome offer also includes exclusive discounts for the EU-Startups Summit, one of Europe’s leading gatherings for startups, investors and corporates:
- 30% off any EU-Startups Summit ticket, including startup, investor and corporate categories, with savings of up to €180 per ticket.
- 20% off exhibition packages, with savings of up to €1,700 depending on the booth selected.
And the benefits don’t end with the competition. Startups remain part of the GSA Community, where they can access future partner offers and be considered for speaking opportunities, community activities and discounted event tickets.
Whether selected for an award or not, every applicant gains access to a network designed to support their entrepreneurial journey. Startups that are not selected keep their benefits and can apply again in future editions.
CESA at MeOut Summit 2026
CESA (Central European Startup Awards) will take place at MeOut Summit 2026 happening from the 25-26 November, which brings together many parts of the European startup ecosystem under one roof.
Winners hear the news first, are announced on GSA’s website and social channels, and take the stage as speakers and panellists in front of investors and industry leaders. In some editions, winners from several regions also compete in a cross-regional round for a continental title.
How to apply
Applications are open until the end of October via this application form.
About Global Startup Awards
Global Startup Awards is an international competition that discovers early-stage startups and connects them with investors, partners and industry leaders. GSA is part of MeOut Group, which also runs EU-Startups and MeOut Summit.
MeOut Summit
MeOut Summit is the flagship innovation gathering for Central & Eastern Europe, taking place on 25-26 November 2026 at Budapest’s iconic Akvárium Klub.
Built by the team behind EU-Startups and produced in collaboration with the Global Startup Awards, its first edition unites 1,000+ founders, investors, corporates and media for two days of keynotes, panels, structured networking, a day-zero hackathon and the Global Startup Awards Central Europe Regional Finale.
MeOut Group
MeOut Group is an international group of companies focusing on innovation, startups, education, and investment. Headquartered in Budapest, with additional offices in Barcelona, Brussels and Copenhagen. MeOut develops and operates platforms, communities, events, programs, and initiatives that support entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems worldwide.
Through its portfolio of brands, including EU-Startups and Global Startup Awards, MeOut connects founders, investors, corporates, educational institutions, innovators, and ecosystem builders to create opportunities for growth, collaboration, and international impact.
