The Global Startup Leadership Awards aims to highlight the top startup ecosystem and accelerator leaders helping activate and empower new entrepreneurs across the globe.
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Winners
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Congratulations to these startup ecosystem and accelerator leaders! Awards were selected based on ratings from founders, tenure, and their impact on new entrepreneurs.
Ajuma's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Abuja made her into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2020, she help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Alan has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Kampala. He has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Kampala Virtual 2022
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Alex M. Dascalu
Eastern Europe
Director
Alex's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystems in Eastern Europe is admirable. Since 2018, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Eastern Europe Fall Virtual 2021 Eastern Europe Virtual 2021 Bucharest 2020 Bucharest Spring 2019
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Alvaro Cabrera
Valencia
Director
Alvaro has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Valencia. He has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Valencia Virtual Fall 2021 Valencia Virtual 2021
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Ana Paula Camargo
Parana
Director
Ana's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Parana made her into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2020, she help launch more than 30 promising startups in the region.
Ana has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Argentina. She has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Argentina Virtual 2022 Argentina Virtual 2021
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Anjali Malhotra
New Delhi
Director
Anjali has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in New Delhi. She has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
New Delhi Virtual 2022
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Ayami Wanasinghe
Sri Lanka
Director
Ayami's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Sri Lanka made her into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2020, she help launch more than 30 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
South Asia Virtual 2022 Sri Lanka Virtual 2021 Colombo Virtual 2020
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Chintan Oza
Mumbai
Director
Chintan has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Mumbai. He has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Mumbai 2022 Mumbai Virtual 2021
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Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr.
Lagos
Director
CFA's long history of supporting and growing multiple startup ecosystems across Africa. Since 2019, he help launch more than 80 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Lagos Fall 2022 Nairobi 2022 South Africa Virtual 2022
Zimbabwe 2022
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Craig Swiatek
Colorado
Director
Craig has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Colorado. He has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Colorado Virtual 2022 Colorado Virtual 2021
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Daoud Ghannam
Palestine
Director
Daoud's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Palestine is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Hanan has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Qatar & the GCC. She has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
GCC - Silicon Valley 2022 Qatar Virtual 2022
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Eva Dimitrova
Cologne
Director
Eva has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Cologne. She has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region over the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Cologne Virtual 2022 Cologne Virtual 2021
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Felix Halcartegaray
Chile
Director
Felix has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Chile. He has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Chile Virtual 2021 Chile Virtual 2020
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Ferdinand Muehlhaeuser
Berlin
Director
Ferdinand's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Berlin is admirable. Since 2017, he help launch more than 50 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Berlin Virtual 2022 Berlin Virtual Fall 2021 Berlin Virtual Spring 2021 Berlin Virtual Fall 2020
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Gerard Escaler
Philippines
Director
Gerard has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in the Phillipines. He has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Philippines Virtual 2022 Philippines Virtual 2021
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Guc Ozenci
Washington DC
Director
Guc has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Washington DC. He has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Washington DC Virtual 2022
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Guillermo Guzman
Colombia
Director
Guillermo's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Colombia has made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Haymee's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Angola is admirable. Since 2018, she help launch more than 30 promising startups in the region.
Ifedy's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Lagos is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 100 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Lagos Fall 2022 Lagos Virtual Spring 2022 Lagos Virtual Summer 2021 Lagos Virtual 2021
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Ignacio Castro
Boston
Director
Ignacio's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Boston is admirable. Since 2016, he help launch more than 50 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Bostron Fall Virtual 2021 Boston Virtual Fall 2020 Boston Fall 2019 Boston Fall 2018
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Ingeborg Gasser-Kriss
Switzerland
Director
Ingeborg's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Switzerland made her into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2020, she help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Food Ecosystems Virtual 2021 Switzerland Fall Virtual 2021 Switzerland Spring 2021
Switzerland - Israel Virtual Fall 2020
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Jacobus Erasmus
South Africa
Director
Jacob's commitment to empowering early stage founders in South Africa made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
South Africa Spring 2022 South Africa Virtual 2022 South Africa Summer Virtual 2021
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James Irvine
Florida
Director
James's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Florida is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 30 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Florida Virtual Spring 2022 Florida - Silicon Valley Virtual 2021 Florida Virtual 2020 South Florida 2020
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James Phelan
Houston
Director
James's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Houston is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Texas Virtual Summer 2022 Texas Virtual Fall 2021 Texas Virtual Spring 2021 Houston Virtual Fall 2021
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Janne Saarikko
Food Ecosystems
Director
Jaane's long history of supporting and growing startups in the Food Ecosystems vertical is admirable. Since 2017, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Food Ecosystems Vitrual 2021 Nordic Virtual Fall 2020 Helsinki Fall 2019 Helsinki Winter 2019
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Jason Jacobsohn
Chicago
Director
Jason's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Chicago is admirable. Since 2011, he help launch more than 120 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Chicago Spring Virtual 2022 Chicago Virtual 2021 Chicago Virtual Fall 2020 Chicago Winter 2020
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Jordan Jocius
Toronto-Waterloo
Director
Jordan's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Toronto & Waterloo is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 80 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Toronto - Silicon Valley Virtual Spring 2022 Waterloo - Toronto Fall 2021 Waterloo - Toronto Virtual 2021 Waterloo - Toronto Fall 2020
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Keshni Morar
South Africa
Director
Keshni's commitment to empowering early stage founders in South Africa made her into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, she help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
South Africa Spring 2022 South Africa Virtual 2022 South Africa Summer Virtual 2021
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Lorena Sanchez
Mexico
Director
Lorena's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Mexio City is admirable. Since 2019, she help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Mexico City Fall 2022 Mexico City Virtual 2022 Mexico City Virtual Fall 2021 Mexico City Virtual 2021
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Marco De Biasi
Sao Paulo
Director
Marco's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Sao Paulo is admirable. Since 2018, he help launch more than 140 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Sao Paulo Winter 2022 Sao Paulo Virtual Spring 2021 Sao Paulo Winter Virtual 2021 Sao Paulo Virtual Summer 2021
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Mehkar Sheikh
Nordics
Director
Mehkhar has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Sweden. She has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Sweden Virtual 2022
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Mercedes Bankston
Silicon Valley & London
Director
Mercedes's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystems in Silicon Valley & London. Since 2019, she help launch more than 140 promising startups across both regions.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Silicon Valley Summer Virtual 2022 London Virtual 2022 Silicon Valley Virtual 2022 Silicon Fall Virtual 2021
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Mergen Chuluun
Mongolia
Director
A special tribute to an amazing leader. Mergen dedicated his life to the development of Mongolia's startup ecosystem and help launch 20+ startups. His passing is a big loss & will be remembered for his passion to empower founders. Rest in peace (1979 - 2022).
Recently Completed Cohorts
Mongolia Virtual 2022 Mongolia Virtual 2021
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Mike Sherbakov
San Diego
Director
Mike's commitment to empowering early stage founders in San Diego made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Los Angeles Fall 2022 San Diego Fall 2022 San Diego Spring Virtual 2022 Veteran & Military Family Fall 2022
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Naimul Abd
Nordics
Director
Naimul has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Sweden. He has already supported the launch of several promising startups in the region within the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Sweden Virtual 2022
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Orkun Ozbatur
BENELUX
Director
Orkun's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Benelux made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Amsterdam - Silicon Valley Virtual Fall 2021 Amsterdam - Silicon Valley Virtual 2021 Luxembourg 2020
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Paul Krajewski
Sydney
Director
Paul's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystems in Sydney is admirable. Since 2018, he help launch more than 65 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Australia Spring 2022 Sydney-Australia Virtual 2022 Sydney - Australia Virtual Spring 2021 Sydney Virtual Spring 2020
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Raphael Jardim
Barcelona
Director
Rapahel's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Barcelona is admirable. Since 2018, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Barcelona Virtual 2021 Spain Virtual 2020 Barcelona Fall 2019 Barcelona Fall 2018
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Reid Hamilton
New York City
Director
Reid's commitment to empowering early stage founders in New York City made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
New York Virtual 2022 New York Fall Virtual 2021 New York Virtual 2021 New York Fall Virtual 2020
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Roxette Miranda
Florida
Director
Roxette's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Florida is admirable. Since 2019, she help launch more than 30 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Florida Virtual Spring 2022 Florida - Silicon Valley Virtual 2021 Florida Virtual 2020 South Florida 2020
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Russell Brand
Silicon Valley
Director
Reid's commitment to empowering early stage founders in Silicon Valley made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2021, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Silicon Valley Summer Virtual 2022 Silicon Valley Virtual 2022 Silicon Valley Fall Virtual 2021
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Saira Qayyum
Pakistan
Director
Saira has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Pakistan. Since 2020, she has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Pakistan 2022
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Sameer Sortur
UAE - GCC
Director
Sameer's commitment to empowering early stage founders in the GCC made him into a startup ecosystem leader. Since 2020, he help launch more than 40 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
GCC-Silicon Valley 2022 UAE Virtual 2022 UAE Fall Virtual 2021 GCC-Silicon Valley Virtual 2021
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Sandy Gómez
Caracas
Director
Sandy has quickly emerged as a startup ecosystem leader in Caracas. She has already supported the launch of more than 10 promising startups in the region over the past 12 months.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Caracas Virtual 2022 Caracas Virtual 2021
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Sascha Karstaedt
Berlin
Director
Sascha's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Berlin is admirable. Since 2012, he help launch more than 90 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Berlin Virtual 2022 Berlin Virtual Fall 2021 Berlin Virtual Spring 2021 Berlin Virtual Fall 2020
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Sergio Escobar
Montreal
Director
Sergio's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Montreal is admirable. Since 2014, he help launch more than 90 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Montreal Virtual 2021 Montreal Virtual 2020 Montreal Winter 2019 Montreal 2017
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Simon Turner
Ghana
Director
Simon's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Ghana is admirable. Since 2019, he help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Ghana Virtual Fall 2021 Ghana Virtual Fall 2020 Accra 2019
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Sunil Sharma
Toronto - Waterloo
Director
Sunil's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Toronto & Waterloo is admirable. Since 2014, he help launch more than 340 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Toronto - Silicon Valley Virtual Spring 2022 Waterloo - Toronto Fall 2021 Toronto Summer Virtual 2021 Toronto Tech Corridor Virtual 2021
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Tatyana Mitkova
Sofia
Director
Tatyana's long history of supporting and growing the startup ecosystem in Sofia is admirable. Since 2019, she help launch more than 20 promising startups in the region.
Recently Completed Cohorts
Sofia Fall 2019 Balkans Virtual 2020 Eastern Europe Virtual 2021
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