We are pleased to announce that the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale will take place as part of the EU-Startups Summit 2026, on 7 May 2026, at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, Malta. The event will bring together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders from around the world, strengthening Europe’s position as a hub for innovation events in Europe.
As the major investor in the Global Startup Awards and the sole owner of EU-Startups, MeOut Group supports initiatives that connect startup ecosystems in Europe with the wider global innovation landscape.
The EU-Startups Summit 2026 has long focused on connecting the European startup ecosystem and supporting founders across the continent. Hosting the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale within the Summit expands this mission by welcoming global perspectives and international collaboration.
“EU-Startups has always stood for connecting the European startup ecosystem, and through this collaboration with the Global Startup Awards, we are opening the door for global perspectives to join the conversation,” says Thomas Ohr, CEO and Founder of EU-Startups. “While our Summit remains focused on European innovation, this partnership strengthens our shared mission of empowering founders at every stage and from every region.”
The Global Startup Awards Grand Finale will welcome finalists and ecosystem representatives from more than 150 countries, reinforcing the importance of international startup collaboration within a European setting.
After more than a decade of global ecosystem building, the Global Startup Awards are bringing their international network to the heart of Europe.
“After more than a decade of building the Global Startup Awards across 154 countries, we are now bringing the full strength of our global network into Europe,” says Kim Balle, CEO and Co-founder of XO Group, owner of the Global Startup Awards. “Hosting the Grand Finale at the EU-Startups Summit 2026 creates a powerful bridge between global entrepreneurship and European innovation, strengthened through our partnership with EU-Startups and MeOut Group.”
This collaboration highlights the role of major startup awards ceremonies in connecting regional ecosystems with global innovation trends.
“For more than 15 years, MeOut Group has focused on building and connecting startup ecosystems in Europe and beyond. Bringing the Global Startup Awards and the EU-Startups Summit 2026 together in Malta is a natural step for us. It strengthens the link between European innovation and global entrepreneurship. This is the foundation of our belief that Together, We Grow,” says Attila, CEO and Chairman of MeOut Group.
Through MeOut Group innovation initiatives, the organisation continues to support platforms that enable collaboration, visibility, and long-term impact across international startup ecosystems.
By aligning the Global Startup Awards Grand Finale with the EU-Startups Summit 2026, this initiative reinforces Europe’s role as a meeting point for founders, investors, and ecosystem builders from around the world.
MeOut Group is offering a limited number of private discounts. Join the priority list for EU-Startups Summit 2026 here.
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