17 Unicorns Started Here: Global Startup Awards Opens 12th Edition

Jan de Vries · 2026-10-08

Free, equity-free, and built for early-stage founders. That's the promise of the Global Startup Awards (GSA), and now applications for its 12th edition are officially open. If you're building something new, this could be your shot at recognition, investors, and industry leaders. Seventeen GSA alumni have gone on to become unicorns—companies valued at $1 billion or more. That's not a typo. This competition has a track record of spotting potential long before anyone else does. ### Simpler to apply Applying takes three things: a short 1-minute form, a pitch deck, and a one-pager. There's no fee, and GSA takes no equity. It's the simplest, fastest application they've 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 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." – 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: market benchmarks, insights from industry experts and academics, and AI-powered analysis. The AI-first approach ensures consistency across applications, while human evaluators make the final decisions. This blend 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." – Tamas Tuske, Innovation Director, MeOut Group ### Value for every applicant Recognition is only part of the experience. Every startup that applies to Edition 12 gets access to benefits, no matter how far it progresses. Unlike most competitions where only winners benefit, GSA gives something to every applicant. Immediately after applying, startups join the GSA Community and receive a welcome offer by email, featuring free and discounted tools and services from partners like 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 $195 per ticket (converted from €180). - 20% off exhibition packages, with savings of up to $1,850 depending on the booth selected (converted from €1,700). 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 aren't 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 from November 25-26, bringing 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 the application form on the GSA website. Don't miss your chance to join a community that's helped launch 17 unicorns—and counting.